Bengaluru: Continuing their tirade against V R Sudarshan, chosen by the state government to head Karnataka Public Service Commission (KPSC), leaders of the state unit of BJP charged that ten acres of tank bed land in Kolar was illegally allotted to an educational trust in which the Congress leader’s late wife B R Pushpa was the chief trustee.

Addressing media persons here on Friday, B.J. Puttaswamy, MLC, and party spokesperson Ashwathnarayana released documents to buttress their allegation that land was illegally allotted to Jyothi Educational Trust on January 30, 2003.

While issuing the allotment order to Jyothi Educational Trust, the deputy commissioner had reportedly mentioned that though it was a tank bed, it was parched and therefore of no use for farmers. His order was based on a report submitted by the Tashildar who visited the spot on August 13, 2002.

Though the order stated that the plot should be used for educational purpose within two years of allotment, till date no institution was set up, they alleged.

The leaders stated that Karnataka Appellate Tribunal had quashed allotment of land to Jyothi Educational Trust on November 20, 2009 on grounds that the tank bed and forests should be protected and maintained by the district administration of Kolar, but this order was challenged by the Trust in Karnataka High Court.

“By misusing power, Mr. Sudarshan has illegally got ten acres of tank bed land for the Trust,” alleged Mr. Puttaswamy.

The appointments made to the KPSC by the Congress government led by Siddarmaiah have run into a controversy wiht the opposition BJP alleging that norms have been flouted. The Governor had sought clarifications from the govt on the selections.