Bengaluru, Jan 7 (NationPress) The President of Karnataka's BJP and MLA B.Y. Vijayendra responded to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah's assertion of having achieved a record for the longest tenure as Chief Minister by declaring it “merely an illusion” and labeling him an opportunist.

“They are boasting about advertisements in newspapers that claim Siddaramaiah has surpassed D. Devaraj Urs' record. That may be their joy, but the populace is questioning what Siddaramaiah has genuinely accomplished as the Chief Minister of Karnataka,” he added.

He emphasized that Devaraj Urs made history by serving a lengthy term during which he implemented significant land reforms, abolished the cruel practice of manual scavenging, introduced pensions for the elderly and widows, and became a champion for the underprivileged.

“Such a leader (D. Devaraj Urs) was ousted by the Congress. Had he been permitted to govern, he would have completed a full term and achieved an even more remarkable record,” Vijayendra stated.

He further alleged that it was Devaraj Urs who revitalized Indira Gandhi's political career, only for her to insult and expel him.

“Now, Siddaramaiah boasts of breaking Urs' record. The public is questioning his achievements,” he remarked.

Devaraj Urs was unanimously appointed as the Chief Minister of Karnataka.

“Siddaramaiah claims to have provided governance focused on the people from 2013 to 2018, yet he faced defeat in Chamundeshwari constituency in 2018,” he noted.

Vijayendra accused Siddaramaiah of ascending to the Chief Ministership through luck and branded him an opportunist.

“Let him (CM Siddaramaiah) clarify how many impoverished individuals he has provided housing for,” Vijayendra challenged.

He also criticized Siddaramaiah for abandoning the AHINDA agenda after assuming office, accusing him of allocating 14 plots designated for the poor to his family, misusing MUDA sites, deceiving the disadvantaged, and only returning the plots quietly when the issue became public.

“Siddaramaiah, who came to power under the banner of AHINDA, failed to act on the Kantharaju Commission report due to a lack of political resolve,” he asserted.

Vijayendra alleged that by discarding that report, he disrespected the AHINDA communities and betrayed the people of Karnataka.

He also accused the state government of establishing an SIT at the behest of what he called a “rumor gang”, thereby offending the sentiments of Dharmasthala devotees.

“A major conspiracy was plotted against Dharmasthala,” he claimed.

He further stated that 11 individuals lost their lives in the Chinnaswamy Stadium stampede, holding the state government accountable and questioning whether this qualifies as an achievement.

Former Chief Minister and BJP MP Basavaraj Bommai remarked that discussions regarding Chief Minister Siddaramaiah's tenure should focus on quality rather than duration.

While addressing the media in Gadag on Tuesday, Bommai remarked that some individuals are asserting Siddaramaiah has served as Chief Minister for an extended period.

“What matters is not the number of days he has been in power, but what he has achieved during that time, how he has advanced the state, how many underprivileged and marginalized communities have benefited from his governance, and the overall enhancement of the state’s economy,” he emphasized.

“These are the issues worthy of discussion. The conversation should revolve around quality, not quantity,” he insisted.

Referring to the Ballari shootout, Bommai stated that claiming record levels of governance while bearing such dark marks does not suit the Chief Minister.