Mon Jun 23 13:18:17 UTC 2025: **Summary:**

Former Karnataka Minister K.S. Eshwarappa has strongly criticized the Congress government in Karnataka for increasing the reservation quota for minorities in housing schemes from 10% to 15%. He accuses the government of prioritizing Muslims over other backward classes and Dalits, and demands proof of central government guidelines supporting the increase. Eshwarappa also criticized the government’s failure to properly investigate illegal mining cases, which he claims cost the state ₹1.5 lakh crore. He is calling for a judicial inquiry into corruption allegations in housing scheme allotments.

**News Article:**

**Eshwarappa Slams Karnataka Government Over Increased Minority Housing Quota**

**Shivamogga, June 23, 2025** – Former Karnataka Minister K.S. Eshwarappa has launched a scathing attack on the Congress government in Karnataka, accusing them of prioritizing minority communities at the expense of other marginalized groups. At a press conference held today, Eshwarappa vehemently criticized the government’s decision to increase the reservation quota for minorities in housing schemes from 10% to 15%.

“Is the government planning to sell the entire state to Muslims before their term ends?” Eshwarappa questioned, alleging that the Siddaramaiah-led government has disproportionately allocated funds to Muslims in its budgets. He claimed the Congress party, after coming to power on a platform of supporting backward classes and Dalits, now only focuses on the welfare of the Muslim community.

Eshwarappa refuted Chief Minister Siddaramaiah’s claim that the increase in reservation was based on central government guidelines, demanding the government produce proof of such directives. He cited Union Minister Pralhad Joshi’s statement denying the existence of any such guidelines.

The former minister also addressed Law Minister H.K. Patil’s acknowledgement of the government’s inadequate investigation of illegal mining cases. Eshwarappa demanded that Chief Minister Siddaramaiah apologize to the public for failing to properly investigate these cases, which he claims resulted in a loss of over ₹1.5 lakh crore to the state exchequer – equivalent to the funds allocated for the government’s guarantee schemes for three years.

Eshwarappa is further demanding an inquiry by a sitting judge into allegations of corruption in the allotment of houses for the poor under the housing schemes, stating the need for a transparent and thorough investigation into these serious accusations.

The statements are expected to further fuel the political debate surrounding reservation policies and resource allocation in the state.

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