'Just to secure votes': Karnataka LoP Chalavadi Narayanaswamy calls CM Siddaramaiah's Waqf land directive 'eyewash'

NEW DELHI: Karnataka legislative council leader of opposition Chalavadi Narayanaswamy has criticized chief minister Siddaramaiah ’s directive to retract Waqf notices issued to farmers, calling it an "eyewash" aimed at securing votes in the upcoming local elections .

Reacting to the CM’s move, Narayanaswamy told the media, "You’ve ordered the withdrawal of notices, but in the gazette, the land is still Waqf property. This is not a solution. I will request CM Siddaramaiah to withdraw the 1974 gazette. Otherwise, this measure is merely a tactic to win local elections and won’t bring relief to farmers."

Meanwhile, Karnataka Congress leader Nagaraj Yadav defended the Chief Minister’s decision, alleging that the BJP is politicizing the issue. Yadav stated, "The Chief Minister’s directive to withdraw notices is correct, and he has assured that no further notices will be issued. The BJP is trying to politicize this issue, while Congress has no intent to divide society."

On Saturday, CM Siddaramaiah ordered officials to retract all notices concerning Waqf land issued to farmers, stressing that no disturbances should affect them, according to a statement from the Chief Minister’s Office (CMO). This decision followed a high-level meeting with officials from the Revenue, Minority Welfare, and Waqf Departments.

The CM also expressed dissatisfaction with certain officials' actions, accusing the JD(S) and BJP of exploiting the Waqf issue for political gains. He appealed to the public to disregard misinformation and instructed officials to handle the matter sensitively.