Davanagere, March 27 (NationPress) Former Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai expressed on Friday that the public has become increasingly disillusioned with the administration over the past two-and-a-half years.

He emphasized that the ongoing power struggle between Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar will cast a long shadow over the upcoming Davanagere by-election. A win for the BJP in this bypoll could potentially alter the political landscape of Karnataka in the near future.

During a press conference at the Bharatiya Janata Party office in Davanagere, he remarked that the unexpected by-election was a result of numerous political shifts in the last two-and-a-half years. He noted that citizens are disheartened, feeling that the government has failed to perform effectively across various sectors.

Bommai criticized the government as being anti-farmer, asserting that the concerns of ordinary citizens are being ignored. He stated that any signs of development are nearly impossible to find and that corruption is rampant, leaving common people in distress.

He pointed out that during the last election, Congress campaigned heavily on the AHINDA and caste census issues.

According to Bommai, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah exploited AHINDA communities for political leverage without delivering any genuine benefits. He accused the government of misusing these communities and noted that while they exhibit arrogance, they lack the courage to confront them.

Criticizing Siddaramaiah's recent budget presentation, Bommai labeled it as “a bundle of lies,” alleging that the Chief Minister believes that vocally repeating a falsehood will make it seem true.

He questioned the contributions of the state government to Davanagere over the past two-and-a-half years, stating that the ₹900 crore allocated under the Smart City project was sourced from the central government, not the state. He claimed there has been a lack of significant development beyond this.

Bommai characterized Davanagere as a vital commercial center in central Karnataka with a rich history, yet lamented the absence of visible progress in urban areas.

He added that a new social alignment is beginning to form in Davanagere, claiming that the traditional Congress vote bank is no longer stable. He predicted social realignment and political polarization, asserting that a BJP victory in the by-election would shift Karnataka’s political trajectory.

In response to Siddaramaiah’s claim that a Muslim candidate, Pathan, defeated Bommai’s son in Shiggaon by 12,000 votes, Bommai alleged that extensive use of money and conspiracy played roles in that victory.

He claimed that approximately 8,000 votes were swayed by bringing voters from adjacent constituencies and manipulating certain officials.

Bommai concluded by stating that the public is now acutely aware, and that conversations regarding Siddaramaiah’s “unstable position” are occurring daily. He firmly stated that the conflict between the Chief Minister and Deputy Chief Minister will affect the Davanagere bypoll, and expressed confidence in the BJP's certain victory this time.