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DK Shivakumar said that the drive was aimed at safeguarding public health and government property, not targeting any community.
Shivakumar said the Kerala CM should not interfere in Karnataka’s affairs without knowing the facts. File image/ANI
Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar on Monday hit out at Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan over his criticism of a demolition drive in Kogilu village near Yelahanka in Bengaluru and accused him of “playing politics” over the issue.
The deputy Chief Minister, who visited the village where a demolition drive was carried out at an encroached solid waste management site, said that the drive was aimed at safeguarding public health and government property, not targeting any community.
““The Kerala CM is playing politics. He is going to lose the elections. This is a local issue. We have to protect the interests of the people from health hazards. We don’t want illegal encroachers occupying government property. We don’t want slums to come up in Bengaluru. It is our duty to protect government land, and that is exactly what we are doing,” he said as quoted by news agency ANI.
#WATCH | Bengaluru: On Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan’s statement on recent demolition drive in Karanataka, Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar says, “The Kerala CM is playing politics. He is going to lose the elections. This is a local issue. We have to protect the interests of the… https://t.co/PCD0vTN7XH pic.twitter.com/gEO1w2ZF4y— ANI (@ANI) December 29, 2025
He further said that the land had earlier been allotted for solid waste management and was unfit for human habitation. “I have been told that a quarry existed here 9–10 years ago and the land was later allotted for solid waste management. Some people have constructed sheds overnight and built homes on top of garbage dumps,” he said.
He claimed that certain individuals had taken money and encouraged people to build illegal structures. Shivakumar vowed to take action against those who illegally occupied government land after taking money.
“We will take action against those who have taken money. Bengaluru’s cleanliness needs to be maintained and we cannot allow land grabbers to occupy government land,” he said.
Shivakumar said no voter lists had been issued for government land and that even the local MLA had raised concerns about the encroachment.
He said the Chief Minister had called a meeting on the issue and that he had visited the area ahead of it to assess the situation. Shivakumar also assured that eligible evictees and local residents would be rehabilitated.
The demolition drive has triggered political reactions, with Congress general secretary KC Venugopal expressing concern over the manner in which the action was carried out. Venugopal said he had spoken to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and DK Shivakumar, urging greater caution, sensitivity and compassion.
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said the land had been encroached upon despite multiple notices and reiterated that it was unsuitable for habitation. He added that temporary shelter, food and other necessities would be provided to the evicted families, most of whom he said were migrant workers.
Earlier, the Social Democratic Party of India (SDPI) and local residents held protests, condemning the demolition drive in Yelahanka and demanding immediate rehabilitation of the displaced people. SDPI Karnataka General Secretary Mujahid Pasha demanded shelter and fulfilment of basic needs for the dislocated people.
(With inputs from agencies)
December 29, 2025, 18:04 IST
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