Yogesh K Porwar & Siddarth Sethia
CBI probe needed against Congress leaders who misappropriated Wakf properties:Bommai
Savanur:Former Chief Minister and MP Basavaraj Bommai alleged that the Congress,fearing defeat in the upcoming by-elections,is issuing Wakf notices to farmers,causing them distress in order to strengthen their vote bank.But not an inch of farmers’land will be allowed to go to the Wakf.
He was speaking at a protest rally organized by the BJP in Savanur,opposing the government’s notices issued through the Wakf Board to farmers.
Accusing the Congress of viewing everything through an electoral lens and issuing these notices only now, Bommai claimed that the Congress fears electoral defeat and is troubling farmers to bolster its vote bank.
Whenever any development is planned in Savanur, it is declared as Wakf property.The Congress leaders have been involved in misappropriating Wakf properties, with about 5,000 to 6,000 acres being illegally taken.
The commission led by Anwar Manipaddy,which submitted a report of approximately 8,000 pages.The report was followed by another prepared by the Upa Lokayukta,which was allegedly suppressed by the Congress government.
Based on the Manipaddy report,Bommai demanded that the government take back the misappropriated Wakf properties,initiate a CBI investigation, and take strict action against the involved Congress leaders.
While the Chief Minister often speaks about the Constitution, the government should cancel the Wakf gazette notification and support amendments to the Wakf Act.
According to Articles 14 and 15 of the Constitution, equality is guaranteed for all, but including Wakf in the farmers’ land records goes against this principle.
Bommai further said that the current government is operating in an unconstitutional manner and mentioned that farmers in villages are being served notices,with their lands being claimed under Wakf.
But not an inch of farmers’land would be surrendered and threatened a Gokak-style protest against the state government.
The former CM also alleged corruption in Shiggaon, claiming that the person defeated in that constituency was engaged in extortion.
Addressing officials,he cautioned that following such illegal instructions would put their positions at risk. Bommai declared that he himself would take to the field to fight, urging people to stay united,promising that he and other leaders would stand with them.
Former ministers C.T.Ravi,Aravind Bellad,the Deputy Leader of the Opposition in the Assembly, former MLA,P. Rajeev,and others were present at the event.
