Mandya: Mandya district minister N Cheluvarayaswamy dismissed allegations made by Kerala chief minister over the clearance of house encroachments in Bengaluru, asserting that the law applies equally to everyone, irrespective of state or community.Speaking to reporters here, he said India’s federal system allows people from different states to live anywhere, but that does not permit anyone to violate local laws. “We cannot go to Kerala and act as we wish. Everyone must function within the legal framework,” he said. Responding to claims that the eviction drive targeted Muslim community, the minister said the Congress govt was not against any particular group. He stressed that the party works for the welfare of all sections of society and does not believe in causing injustice to anyone. He suggested that the Kerala CM’s remarks were politically motivated and linked to the upcoming elections. “Congress does not carry just one community; we take everyone along under the ambit of the law,” he said, adding that the Kerala CM should comment on developments in Uttar Pradesh instead.On the recent drug seizure in Bengaluru by Maharashtra police, Cheluvarayaswamy said the raid was conducted with the cooperation of Karnataka police to Maharashtra cops. He noted that the drug mafia is a global network and often operates covertly, sometimes enjoying political patronage. He said Karnataka police conducted raids at over 50 locations in the past two years and saw nothing wrong with Maharashtra police raiding two locations in Bengaluru. The govt, he added, has given police a free hand to act against drug networks.On cabinet reshuffle, Cheluvarayaswamy said Congress would chart its own course towards 2028 under the high command’s guidance.The minister also courted controversy after losing his temper with reporters when questioned about industrial development and claims regarding the availability of land. He denied the charge that there is no land available in Mandya for industrial growth.
