Congress general secretary Randeep Singh Surjewala, in charge of Karnataka, has sharply criticised the Union government and the BJP-JD(S) alliance, alleging they are jeopardising Bengaluru’s ecological future by promoting real estate ventures over green development.
Following a meeting with state forest minister Eshwar Khandre, Surjewala reaffirmed the Congress-led state government’s intent to transform the remaining 280 acres of former HMT land in Gorguntepalya into a biodiversity park. He noted that this green initiative, similar to Cubbon Park, would serve as Bengaluru’s “second lungs.”
Surjewala alleged that while Congress supports ecological restoration, the BJP-JD(S) coalition—backed by Union minister HD Kumaraswamy—is pushing for real estate projects on the same land. “For BJP-JD(S), profits from property seem more important than clean air for Bengalureans,” he posted on X, referencing a news report titled “Concrete heat trap.”
The dispute is currently before the Supreme Court, with a hearing expected in July.
Meanwhile, Surjewala’s one-on-one coordination meetings with Karnataka ministers stirred political heat. Cooperation minister KN Rajanna skipped his meeting, citing a pre-planned Europe trip. Opposition leaders mocked the Congress party, accusing Surjewala of acting as the “Super CM” of Karnataka.
BJP’s R Ashoka claimed the Congress high command had sidelined CM Siddaramaiah, and JD(S) leader Nikhil Kumaraswamy sarcastically remarked that elected MLAs now seek approvals from the “Surjewala Sarkar.”.