Bagalkot (Karnataka), April 7 (NationPress) Former minister and senior BJP figure B. Sriramulu has asserted that the Congress party is set to be eliminated from Karnataka by 2028. He voiced his belief that BJP candidates will emerge victorious in the upcoming bye-elections in Bagalkot and Davanagere.

While addressing the media on Tuesday, he stated that the electorate is already inclined towards ensuring BJP’s success in these bypolls and urged not to overlook this crucial chance. He accused the Congress of prolonging its “drama” for an additional two years if they succeed, claiming that governance is being conducted through “dinner and lunch gatherings.”

Sriramulu noted that Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has been actively campaigning for the last ten days, appealing to voters on the basis of development and promises. However, he contended that the public is unlikely to vote for development, as “no significant progress has been achieved.”

He also claimed that rising prices are making life difficult for the underprivileged, and the government has failed to effectively implement its guarantee schemes. “After all this, they have initiated a new narrative requesting votes based on caste,” he remarked.

Criticizing the transport sector, he claimed that no new buses have been acquired, and even basic repairs are unaffordable. He derided the government's guarantee schemes, stating that the Congress has dedicated three years to discussing them. Referring to the Gruha Lakshmi initiative, he argued that while women receive Rs. 2,000, it ultimately imposes financial burdens on their families, alleging a corruption of Rs. 5,000 crore associated with the scheme.

In reply to accusations of the BJP being casteist, he claimed that the Congress exploits caste for its political advantage. He pointed to the MUDA case, where CM Siddaramaiah is accused, alleging significant corruption and asserting that the Chief Minister uses caste identity as a protective cover.

Furthermore, he accused Siddaramaiah of being anti-Dalit, citing alleged mismanagement of funds in the Valmiki Corporation and claiming that resources earmarked for SCSP/TSP have been rerouted for guarantee schemes and Lok Sabha elections. He stressed that the longstanding demand for internal reservation has not been adequately addressed.

Sriramulu also argued that the state is bereft of fundamental infrastructure, such as roads, and that the government struggles to meet payroll obligations, resulting in protests from employees across various departments. He concluded by claiming that the state is currently enduring an economic crisis.