Bengaluru, May 13 : Senior BJP leader and Leader of the Opposition in the Karnataka Assembly, R. Ashoka, on Wednesday criticised the state government for trying to set up a government housing project on 9,600 acres of agricultural land in Bidadi and Kanchaganahalli near Bengaluru.

Addressing reporters, Ashoka alleged that the government was targeting fertile agricultural land in the region, historically associated with Nadaprabhu Kempegowda, the founder of Bengaluru city, where crops such as coconut, areca nut, and silk are cultivated.

â??The Congress government is moving to loot 9,600 acres of land in Bidadi and Kanchaganahalli. There are already around seven lakh vacant private and government flats. Out of this land, 3,000 acres belong to the government, and there is a plan to loot money through this project,â?? Ashoka alleged.

Ashoka said former Chief Minister and current Union Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy had earlier stalled the project, but the same proposal was now being revived by the state government. He warned that converting agricultural land for housing projects would eventually lead to food shortages.

He also raised concerns over the financial burden on the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP), claiming the expansion would increase garbage management costs substantially.

â??This will burden BBMP with an annual garbage mafia cost of nearly Rs 700 crore. Increasing tender amounts will ultimately burden the public. Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar should first guarantee removal of garbage,â?? he said.

Referring to Prime Minister Narendra Modiâ??s recent appeal for austerity and reduced expenditure, Ashoka defended the call and criticised Congress leaders for objecting to it.

â??Prime Minister Modi has appealed to people to reduce unnecessary expenses without imposing restrictions. Even for this, Congress leaders are creating controversy,â?? he claimed.

Ashoka recalled that during Congress rule, former Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru had appealed to citizens to donate gold, while former Union Finance Minister P. Chidambaram had urged people not to buy gold.

â??Prime Minister Modi has not asked people to bring gold like the Congress did. Union ministers are setting examples by using bicycles. I, too, am reducing the use of escort vehicles, and my family will also practice austerity,â?? he added.

Citing global uncertainties and ongoing conflicts, Ashoka said precautionary economic measures were necessary.

He further suggested that government officials and political leaders should begin using public transport.

â??Earlier, I used to travel by bus. Similarly, officials can now travel by bus. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah should take steps in this regard,â?? he said.

On the irregularities in the NEET examination, Ashoka said the investigation had already been handed over to the CBI and that the Central government had taken immediate action.

â??The Centre will correct this system. Congress should first examine how many times question papers have leaked in KPSC examinations and rectify that,â?? he said.

Regarding the upcoming BBMP elections, Ashoka announced that the BJP would hold a preparatory meeting at the party office on May 15 to discuss candidate selection and booth committees.

â??BBMP has an annual income of around Rs 4,000 crore. Cities like Mumbai and Delhi, despite having higher revenues, manage their civic administration effectively. However, Congress keeps changing its stand on dividing the corporation. It is not right to delay elections this way. The elections should be conducted at the earliest,â?? he said.

/IANS