Former Karnataka Chief Minister and BJP Central Parliamentary Committee member B.S. Yediyurappa on Wednesday, 11 November called on party leaders to energise cadres and channel public anger toward removing what he described as a corrupt Congress government in the state. Speaking at a BJP protest at Freedom Park, Bengaluru, Yediyurappa expressed firm confidence that the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) would return to power in Karnataka.

The Protest and Its Leadership

The demonstration was organised by the BJP's state unit against price hikes imposed by the Congress-led Karnataka government. The protest was held under the leadership of BJP state president B.Y. Vijayendra, along with Opposition leaders R. Ashoka and Chalavadi Narayanaswamy. Senior BJP leaders including MPs, MLAs, MLCs, district presidents, and core committee members were present in large numbers.

Yediyurappa's Allegations Against the Congress Government

Yediyurappa alleged that the state government had turned bankrupt, pointing out that Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar himself had reportedly acknowledged the government's inability to provide diesel for government buses. He said the Congress was under the illusion that it could retain power through money, liquor, muscle power, and the influence of office, but argued that the people had already rejected the party. He urged BJP leaders to strengthen the organisation and channel their energies toward an NDA government.

Referring to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's forthcoming visit to Karnataka, Yediyurappa said people across the world eagerly awaited the Prime Minister's statements. He noted that Modi would visit Mysuru on 13 November.

Jagadish Shettar: Empty Treasury, Governance Failures

Former Chief Minister and BJP MP Jagadish Shettar alleged that the state treasury was empty and that the government was raising prices across almost every commodity. He claimed the government was not under the effective control of Chief Minister Shivakumar, adding that even Congress MLAs were expressing frustration with the administration.

Shettar alleged that the government had failed to remit ₹6,000 crore to transport corporations toward expenses incurred under the free bus travel scheme. He further accused the Congress government of deliberately triggering controversies over an alleged sting operation and ethanol blending issues to divert public attention. Claiming the government was 'nearing its end', Shettar said the downfall of the Shivakumar administration was imminent.

Narayanaswamy: Price Hikes, Broken Guarantees

Karnataka Legislative Council Leader of Opposition Chalavadi Narayanaswamy said it had become difficult to find a single commodity or service whose price had not been raised by the government. He alleged that the Congress government had hiked milk and water prices and bus fares, and warned that electricity tariffs would be next.

Narayanaswamy accused the Congress of making sweeping election promises only to roll back benefits after coming to power. He alleged that the government was providing only the rice supplied by the Centre under the food security programme, and accused it of turning beneficiaries of the Gruha Lakshmi scheme into dependants — dubbing the Congress guarantees a 'guarantee theft'. He warned that if voters rejected the Congress in the 2028 Assembly elections, its leaders would be untraceable.

What This Signals for Karnataka Politics

This is the latest in a series of BJP-led protests targeting the Congress government's economic management, with the party seeking to consolidate opposition sentiment ahead of the 2028 Assembly elections. The protest's high-profile attendance — including a former chief minister, sitting MPs, and the full state leadership — signals the BJP's intent to frame price hikes as a defining issue. With PM Modi's visit to Mysuru on 13 November, the party appears to be building momentum around a national-state political narrative.