Davanagere, March 31 (NationPress) The Karnataka Bharatiya Janata Party has unveiled its manifesto for the bye-election in Davanagere South on Tuesday. Senior party figure and Leader of the Opposition, R. Ashoka, urged voters to back the Bharatiya Janata Party to "remove the corrupt and harmful Congress administration" and "overthrow a government driven by bribery."

During the event, he accused Congress of failing to represent minority communities in the area and expressed optimism that these voters would align with the Bharatiya Janata Party.

Ashoka mentioned that the Bharatiya Janata Party has chosen a Dalit leader, Srinivas T. Daskariyappa, as their candidate, assuring that he will serve diligently as a local representative.

He claimed that Congress supporters had anticipated that a regular party member, rather than one family, would receive the ticket for this by-election, but their expectations were not met.

“Backward classes, Dalits, and minorities were overlooked. Muslims were not included. Even during the tenure of the late Shamanur, there were promises of tickets for minorities. Now, they are frustrated,” he stated.

Ashoka further asserted that by awarding the ticket again to the Shamanur family, opportunities for others would be stifled for generations. “Only if Congress loses here can minorities have a chance. Members of the Shamanur family are already in powerful positions, and now their son has been given a ticket. The family seeks power, while the people desire progress,” he noted.

He also criticized the Congress leadership, asserting that Samarth is aligned with D.K. Shivakumar, while Minister Zameer Ahmad Khan has “left the arena and gone to Kerala.” He ridiculed, saying, “There is a star campaigner there, but here, there is no star, only ‘Gabbar Singh.’”

Minister Zameer is reportedly displeased with comments made by Minister S.S. Mallikarjun, whose son is the candidate. Mallikarjun had previously objected to Zameer’s attempts to secure a ticket for a Muslim candidate and had advised him to focus on Bengaluru. Later, he commented that Zameer should refrain from campaigning.

Ashoka called on voters to choose the Bharatiya Janata Party to guarantee holistic development for the constituency. “If one family continues to dominate the South constituency, arrogance will grow, and they will ignore the public's issues. Their demeanor will change. Reject this authoritarianism and back the Bharatiya Janata Party,” he asserted.

Ashoka promised that efforts would focus on enhancing connectivity, drinking water availability, drainage systems, sanitation, urban governance, and educational improvements in the constituency.

Criticizing the state government, Ashoka claimed that Congress has failed to initiate any development projects, both in the constituency and statewide. “Not a single foundation stone has been laid. Siddaramaiah has earned the title ‘Saalada Ramaiah’ (one who lives on debt). He has taken on an unparalleled amount of borrowing. From late Chief Minister K.C. Reddy to Basavaraj Bommai, the total debt accounted for 40 percent, but Siddaramaiah alone has amassed 60 percent,” he claimed.

He also accused the Chief Minister of abandoning socialist values. “Despite presenting a record budget, Karnataka’s economy is in critical condition. He has violated financial discipline and is propping it up through ‘magic’. Even the funds for guarantee schemes have not been effectively disbursed,” he argued.

Ashoka questioned Congress’s ability to seek votes in Davanagere and Bagalkot given these circumstances.

“They attribute all blame to the Centre. This is a ‘PhonePe government’, a government of bribery. When the Bharatiya Janata Party was in power, Siddaramaiah claimed there was no development, yet Congress has not built a single bus stand. There are no buses, teacher recruitment is stagnant, and Kannada schools are closing down,” he alleged.