Congress Split Over Yelahanka Demolition as Venugopal, Shivakumar Clash

Bengaluru: The demolition of unauthorised constructions in Kogilu village, North Bengaluru, has exposed a deep and unusual divide within Congress, revealing stark differences between the party’s state leadership and its central command. The eviction displaced around 3,000 residents, many of whom had been living in the area for decades with valid ration cards, electricity connections, water bills, and paid rent, highlighting the humanitarian dimension of the controversy.

D K Shivakumar

Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar, also the state Congress president, defended the eviction drive, describing the land as a hazardous site and claiming the action was necessary to prevent encroachments. He maintained that alternative housing would be provided to eligible families and portrayed the operation as routine. However, these assertions ignored the reality that most of the displaced had lived in the area legitimately for years, many for over 30 years, and were lawful residents with proper documentation. Shivakumar’s narrative drew criticism for framing the affected communities as encroachers while dismissing their lived experiences.

In contrast, Congress General Secretary K C Venugopal intervened on social media, signalling a sharp departure from the state leadership’s position. He expressed the party’s "serious concern' over the demolitions, stating that such actions should be carried out "with far greater caution, sensitivity, and compassion, keeping the human impact at the centre.' Venugopal called for engagement with the displaced families and mechanisms for rehabilitation and relief. This starkly different stance from Shivakumar underscored a rare internal contradiction within Congress.

The political dynamics were further complicated by Kerala. From the beginning, Congress leaders in Kerala, along with their ally the Muslim League, openly supported the Yelahanka demolition. P K Kunhalikutty and other leaders defended the action as legitimate, promising relocation for affected families, reflecting a consistent position that conflicted with Venugopal’s later expressions of concern. The issue only became politically pressing for Karnataka and Kerala Congress leaders when Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan condemned the demolitions, calling them an example of the "bulldozer raj' model seen in parts of North India.

V D Satheeshan

The episode also highlighted factional differences within Congress. While Venugopal emphasised caution and humanitarian concerns, state-level leaders and allies such as V D Satheeshan defended the action as justified, exposing fault lines in the party when civic and electoral considerations collide. BJP leaders, including Assembly Leader of Opposition R Ashoka, criticised Venugopal’s intervention as overreach, dubbing him the 'super CM' and accusing the Congress high command of undermining Karnataka’s constitutional authority.

The controversy illustrates not only the tension between state governance and party directives but also the deep political and moral contradictions within Congress, particularly when the lives of thousands of residents are caught in the crossfire of inter-state politics and party factions.