Allotting land to Cong an attempt to please High Command: BJP

Former Karnataka Chief Minister and senior BJP leader Jagadish Shettar today flayed reported allotment of government land at "a throw-away price" to Congress for constructing party office in Belagavi, saying it violated law and was an "attempt to please" the party high command.
"It is partisan and is in favour of the political party by the Chief Minister (Siddaramaiah) and is an attempt to please the (Congress) high command," he told reporters here.
According to reports in a section of the media, the government has allotted land worth Rs 7.6 crore for a meagre Rs 54.45 lakh.
"The land is in the heart of Belagavi city. It has a value in crores. So, giving that land to build Congress officein Belagavi at throw-away price of Rs 54 lakh-odd is against the law," he said.

Shettar said Congress is neither a trust nor a charity outfit but a political party which is not entitled to any concession.
"If it wants to give the government land to a political party, it should fix it at market value. It is neither a trust nor a charity outfit but political party and hence there is no possibility of any concession," he said.
Shettar argued no land usually is allotted to build offices of political parties and that too at throw-away pricesin district level.
"In district level, usually, no land has been given to political parties, and that too at throw-away prices," he said.