Is Siddaramaiah's Government in Karnataka Practicing Appeasement Politics?

Bengaluru, May 28 (NationPress) Criticizing the Karnataka government led by Siddaramaiah, BJP's state in-charge and Rajya Sabha MP Radha Mohan Das Agarwal on Wednesday attributed the rising communal tensions in the state to the appeasement politics and policies of the Congress party, which he claimed have disrespected the Hindu community.

During a press conference held at the BJP state headquarters, Jagannath Bhavan, Agarwal stated, "There is no Congress government in Karnataka; this is a Muslim League government."

He invited Chief Minister Siddaramaiah for a public debate on television with BJP state president Vijayendra, saying, “If he thinks the accusations are untrue, he should step up for a debate,” the Rajya Sabha MP asserted.

Agarwal pointed out that the government has allocated extensive land to the Waqf Board and provided Rs 150 crore for minority reservations. He also mentioned that a Congress leader had shouted ‘Pakistan Zindabad’ inside the Vidhana Soudha.

He further noted that a shopkeeper faced violence for conducting a Hanuman puja in his shop. “For the last two years, Karnataka has not been under Congress rule but resembles a Muslim League government... akin to SDPI or PFI,” he remarked.

Agarwal urged Congress to abandon appeasement politics and embrace nationalist policies.

He speculated that the Congress government in Karnataka might collapse soon due to internal disputes.

"Will Siddaramaiah continue as CM? If he steps down, the public is curious whether it will be G. Parameshwara (Home Minister), D.K. Shivakumar (Deputy CM), or Priyank Kharge (Minister for RDPR, IT, and BT) who will take charge?" he questioned.

Agarwal expressed confidence that public support for BJP is increasing in Karnataka, with recent polls suggesting the party could win between 150 and 155 seats if elections were held today.

He acknowledged that the BJP did not perform well in the 2023 Assembly elections, where Congress gained a majority. However, during the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, under the guidance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and state leader B.Y. Vijayendra, the BJP plans to contest vigorously.

According to Agarwal, the people of Karnataka have quickly realized their mistake in the Assembly elections.

He reiterated his belief that if elections were held now, the BJP would secure 150 to 155 seats and form the government.

Agarwal accused the Congress government of rampant corruption and excessive appeasement of Muslims.

"If this trend continues, the Congress could face its lowest-ever seat count in the next Assembly elections," he predicted.

He also criticized Congress for initiating a defamation case against BJP.

While Congress organized a convention to highlight its achievements over the past two years, the BJP published newspaper advertisements revealing the government's failures and issued a 'charge sheet'.

"As the BJP presented the truth to the public, Congress became anxious. In a democracy, allegations and counter-allegations are standard practice, not just in India but worldwide. Yet, for the first time, they have filed a defamation suit against us," Agarwal said.

BJP state president and MLA B.Y. Vijayendra, Rajya Sabha MP Lehar Singh Siroya, BJP Yuva Morcha general secretary and MLA Harish Poonja, along with other party leaders participated in the press conference.