Bengaluru, Jan 13 (NationPress) The Karnataka branch of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has declared its intention to intensify its efforts towards the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, anticipated to take place in February or later.

During a press conference held at the party's state office in Bengaluru on Tuesday, Karnataka BJP President and MLA B.Y. Vijayendra remarked, "The BJP is committed to prioritizing the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls and will also implement initiatives in the coming days to raise awareness regarding the VB-G RAM G scheme."

Vijayendra expressed the party's support for the Election Commission of India's recent decision on the Special Intensive Revision of voters' lists, asserting that when the SIR is executed in the state in February or later, the BJP will closely monitor the process.

He highlighted the significant impact of similar efforts in Bihar, where the Election Commission removed over 65 lakh fake voters from the rolls, and in Uttar Pradesh, where more than 2.5 crore fake voters were eliminated.

Addressing the recent violence in Ballari and the shooting of a Congress worker, Vijayendra accused a Congress MLA of misusing government resources, engaging in hooliganism, and creating a climate of intimidation.

He claimed the MLA's own gunman discharged a firearm, leading to the death of one of his associates. While the deceased's family sought to bury Rajasekhar, police allegedly pressured them into opting for cremation. Furthermore, he alleged that information had surfaced indicating the post-mortem was conducted twice.

Vijayendra also mentioned a brutal murder of a Dalit woman in Yellapur, criticizing the Congress-led government for its silence on the matter, as no minister had approached the family to offer condolences.

He recounted his visit to Yellapur alongside party leaders, where they met the grieving family. Despite a compensation of Rs 25 lakh being awarded to the family of a deceased party worker in Ballari, Vijayendra demanded Rs 50 lakh for the impoverished Dalit family.

He questioned whether the government was so financially constrained that it could not provide Rs 50 lakh compensation, noting that local residents were voicing this concern. The BJP leader called upon the Chief Minister to ensure justice and provide the requested compensation to the Dalit family.

"Since January 5, the party has been conducting meetings in Bengaluru with leaders from various districts. Organizational meetings for all 39 districts of the state are nearing completion, with a focus on discussing the political climate and strategies to fortify the party for the upcoming Zilla Panchayat and Taluk Panchayat elections," he stated.

Vijayendra accused Congress leaders of spreading misinformation about the VB-G RAM G scheme and asserted that the Congress-led government was overwhelmed by frustration.

The government, which had been living under the illusion of providing guarantees, was now facing the reality of public sentiment turning against it, he remarked, suggesting that the Congress had postponed the Zilla Panchayat and Taluk Panchayat elections in a bid to concoct propaganda. He emphasized that Rahul Gandhi and Chief Minister Siddaramaiah had claimed that Mahatma Gandhi was "killed for a second time" by the NDA government through amendments to MGNREGA. The party has instructed district-level meetings to effectively counter this propaganda from district headquarters down to rural areas.

Senior leaders, including former Chief Ministers B.S. Yediyurappa, D.V. Sadananda Gowda, Jagadish Shettar, and Basavaraj Bommai, along with Union Minister Pralhad Joshi, and leaders R. Ashok, Govind Karjol, Chalavadi Narayanaswamy, and C.T. Ravi, actively participated, significantly uplifting the morale of party workers and leaders.

Vijayendra announced that a recent core committee meeting had deliberated on initiating a public movement at various levels against the Congress-led government, which he alleged had lost public trust and popularity while failing to fulfill its electoral promises. The deteriorating law and order situation in the state, exemplified by the hooliganism in Ballari, was a clear indication of this, he asserted.

He criticized the lack of action against a Congress worker from Bantwal, named Sandesh, who had posted a condolence tweet directed at BJP Dalit MLA from Sullia constituency, Bhagirathi Murulya. Despite BJP workers filing complaints, police officials cited technical reasons for not taking action, he claimed.

He questioned the appropriateness of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, who professes to represent the AHINDA communities, remaining silent while Dalits faced insults in Karnataka. Regardless of party affiliation, he asked why police were unable to enforce strict measures when a Dalit woman MLA was insulted.

Vijayendra also took issue with the state Home Minister for failing to address concerns regarding law and order, alleging a lack of awareness.

He noted that the Deputy Chief Minister had visited Ballari and conferred with police officers, and even H.D. Kumaraswamy had raised questions on the matter. Considering all these factors, he announced plans for a significant protest in Ballari on January 17, which would include participation from former Chief Ministers and senior party leaders.

The BJP leader stated that the party had resolved to initiate protests at various levels thereafter. A protest is also planned in Bagalkot against what he termed the Congress government’s betrayal of farmers, with the date to be announced soon.

He criticized ministers for allegedly providing misleading information in the Assembly during the Belagavi winter session regarding the Gruha Laxmi scheme, asserting that the Chief Minister and ministers have yet to provide satisfactory responses concerning Rs 5,000 crore.

Vijayendra questioned the whereabouts of the funds and whether they had been misappropriated. He announced plans for a major protest in Hubballi in the coming days, focusing on the Gruha Laxshmi scheme and the government's failures.

He further alleged that there was no oversight of gambling and matka rackets, and that corruption and bribery had reached alarming levels, claiming police officers had to pay substantial bribes for postings. Despite these concerns, he asserted the government was boasting of fulfilling its promises.

He added that party leadership had decided to launch protests at various levels against the government's governance style, lack of public-oriented schemes, halted development, rampant corruption, and the decline of law and order.

Former Chief Minister and MP Jagadish Shettar and former Deputy Chief Minister and MP Govind Karjol were also present at the press conference.