Bengaluru: Bengaluru: Union minister H D Kumaraswamy on Thursday challenged RDPR minister Eshwar Khandre to a joint inspection of the disputed HMT land, asserting that the state govt has no ownership rights over it and dismissing claims that it is forest land.“The HMT land has nothing to do with the forest department. Those making such claims should verify the records. We have all the documents, and there is no ambiguity over the ownership,” Kumaraswamy said.He termed the forest department’s notice directing HMT to vacate the land illegal and alleged it was issued barely 15 days before the concerned forest officer’s retirement.Targeting Khandre, who earlier served as forest minister, Kumaraswamy questioned his record in protecting forest land. “Eshwar Khandre speaks extensively about HMT and Kudremukh. But how much forest land has he actually protected over the past three years? Large tracts of forest land have been encroached upon. When will the govt recover those lands?” he asked.Inviting Khandre for a public verification of the site, Kumaraswamy said, “Khandre claims there is a 280-acre plantation on the HMT land. Let us visit the site together with the media and verify the facts. If there has been any encroachment, let the truth come out. Since his party is in power, the state govt is free to investigate. We have no objection.”Box`I’ll return to state politics at right timeUnion minister H D Kumaraswamy on Thursday hinted at a future return to Karnataka politics, saying it would not happen immediately as he has three years left as an MP and responsibilities in the Union govt. “I remain the state president of the JD(S) and am responsible for strengthening the party. I have three more years left as an MP and responsibilities as a Union minister. I will continue to work both at the Centre and in Karnataka,” he said. On the Hiriyur Assembly bypoll, Kumaraswamy said there was pressure within the JD(S) to field its own candidate and that discussions with the BJP leadership were underway. “There is still time. A decision will be taken after further discussions,” he said. He also questioned the SIR of electoral rolls, citing notices issued to 35 BLOs as evidence of alleged irregularities.
