Bengaluru, Feb 16 (NationPress) Reaffirming his criticisms against Karnataka Minister Priyank Kharge regarding the Rashtirya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), the State Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) President and MLA B.Y. Vijayendra questioned the underlying motives behind the Minister's remarks, asking if they were driven by hatred, frustration, or naivety.

During a press conference held at the state BJP headquarters, Jagannath Bhavan, in Bengaluru, Vijayendra highlighted Minister Priyank Kharge's comments about the RSS, questioning why the Kalyana Karnataka region, the home of both Priyank and his father Mallikarjun Kharge, continues to lag in development.

He pointed out that Mallikarjun Kharge, now the Congress President, has wielded political influence over Kalaburagi and Kalyana Karnataka for nearly five decades.

Vijayendra remarked that Priyank Kharge is currently in his second term as a Minister in the Congress-led government of Karnataka.

Despite the Kharge family's extensive political experience, he raised the question of why Kalaburagi remains one of the most underdeveloped districts in the state.

"Why does the Kalyana Karnataka region lack sufficient teachers and development?" he asked. "Why are children subjected to injustice? Your own father, AICC President Mallikarjun Kharge, raised this very issue in Kalaburagi last year. Can Minister Priyank Kharge clarify why Kalyana Karnataka is still so underprivileged?"

During a government event the previous day, Minister Priyank Kharge had compared the RSS to a demon, calling the BJP its shadow.

He asserted, "We (the Congress government) are combating the shadow, and if we confront the demon (the RSS) directly, the nation will advance."

Additionally, he questioned why, if registration is mandatory for clubs and associations, the RSS should not also be required to register.

Vijayendra further stated, "As a responsible Minister, Priyank Kharge should comprehend the RSS's century-long history, its contributions to nation-building, and its dedication to social service, rather than making statements solely for media attention."

He mentioned that discussions regarding a potential change in Chief Minister were ongoing, expressing uncertainty about whether Minister Priyank Kharge had aspirations in that regard.

Vijayendra accused Priyank Kharge of being "blind and deaf" to the realities around him.

He claimed that in the last two and a half years, there has been no record of Priyank Kharge holding press conferences about his department or discussing its achievements and reforms.

He criticized the Minister for only addressing national and international topics, not mentioning the issues surrounding Secondary School Leaving Certificate (Class 10) and Pre-University Course (Class 12) results in Kalaburagi and Kalyana Karnataka, which remain among the lowest.

Vijayendra referred to a recent report by the Govind Rao Committee on regional disparities submitted to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, questioning whether Priyank Kharge had read it.

According to the report, 59 of the most backward taluks in Karnataka are located in Kalyana Karnataka and Kittur Karnataka.

He asked if Priyank Kharge would address this issue in the Karnataka Assembly or inform the media to raise public awareness.

The State BJP President mentioned that the backwardness index in the region has increased from 65% to 72.8%.

He noted that Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has served five years in that role and questioned whether Priyank Kharge, a senior Cabinet member, bears any responsibility.

Vijayendra showcased a newspaper article stating that nine localities in Kalaburagi had been without drinking water for 12 days.

He alleged that Priyank Kharge, as the district in-charge Minister, had not convened a district development meeting in the last two and a half years.

He challenged Priyank Kharge to reveal how many Karnataka Development Programme meetings had occurred, accusing him of delivering lengthy speeches and making allegations instead of focusing on governance.

Referring to Priyank Kharge's comments regarding Shivamogga (the city of B.Y. Vijayendra), the State BJP President invited him to debate the developments in Kalyana Karnataka over the past 50 years in comparison to the advancements in Shivamogga during the previous BJP government led by former Chief Minister B.S. Yediyurappa.

He expressed his willingness to discuss the funding the BJP government allocated to Kalaburagi district during Yediyurappa's tenure.

Vijayendra remarked that Priyank Kharge had substantial administrative experience and significant opportunities at a young age.

He proposed that Minister Priyank Kharge spend six months in Nagpur studying the RSS, suggesting that if he still disagreed after that, they could engage in a debate.

He stated that if the Karnataka government had prioritized development and effectively executed its five electoral commitments, it would have already conducted Zilla Panchayat and Taluk Panchayat elections.

Vijayendra accused the Karnataka government of lacking the courage to hold elections in the state and indulging in empty political rhetoric.

The press conference was attended by Karnataka Legislative Council's Opposition Chief Whip N. Ravikumar, State BJP General Secretary N.S. Nandish Reddy, State Legislative Council member Shantaram Budna Siddi, and Chamarajanagar district BJP President and former party MLA Niranjan Kumar.