Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar criticized Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan's remarks on Bengaluru's anti-encroachment drive. Shivakumar stated the demolitions target illegal structures on government land and solid waste sites, aiming to protect public health and land, not any community. He accused Vijayan of politicizing a local issue and suggested it was politically motivated due to upcoming elections in Kerala. Vijayan had previously called the drive 'Bulldozer Raj' and linked it to anti-minority politics.