Bagalkot (Karnataka), April 4 (NationPress) On Saturday, the Karnataka BJP spotlighted the Hubballi “love jihad” controversy while campaigning for the by-elections, claiming that under the Siddaramaiah-led Congress administration, women are living in a state of fear.

During a BJP Mahila Morcha meeting at the party's district office in Bagalkot, former Chief Minister and MP Basavaraj Bommai expressed these concerns.

Bommai stated that the current government has left women feeling unsafe and called for its ousting to ensure their protection.

He highlighted that even as the case of Neha Hiremath fades from public memory, another alleged “love jihad” incident has emerged in Hubballi.

It's crucial to note that 23-year-old Neha Hiremath was tragically murdered on a college campus in Hubballi by her former partner in 2014. Recently, another alleged incident has come to light in the city, prompting police to remain vigilant as the matter has taken a communal dimension.

According to Bommai, such troubling incidents are rampant in every village. “A state that fails to protect its women cannot be deemed functional. If mothers are to live without fear, this government must be ousted promptly,” he asserted.

He encouraged women to take an active role in the electoral process, emphasizing their potential to sway results by reaching out to every household.

Bommai accused the Congress government of harboring a lack of faith in women, claiming that assistance programs like free rice and the Gruha Laxmi benefit are merely political tools. He also alleged that providing financial support to only one woman per household has caused disputes within families.

He criticized public transport accessibility, asserting that elderly and sick passengers are often denied access to buses, blaming the state government for these shortcomings.

Bommai highlighted that the demand for 33% reservation for women has been unresolved for years, pointing out that Congress leader Sonia Gandhi has not brought it to fruition despite being in power.

In contrast, he lauded Prime Minister Narendra Modi for initiatives such as abolishing triple talaq and insisted that the BJP has been committed to ensuring women's dignity and safety.

He mentioned programs like the Sanjeevini scheme, stating that during his tenure as Chief Minister, he initiated the Stree Samarthya scheme, which allocated Rs 5 lakh to each women's self-help group.

Bommai alleged that the Siddaramaiah administration has caused divisions within families and urged women to reject it.

He noted that discussions regarding the Women’s Reservation Bill are set to take place in Parliament on April 16, 17, and 18, and claimed its implementation will allow approximately 80 women to enter the Assembly.

He further asserted that law and order in the state has declined, citing frequent incidents of crimes against women. “A government that cannot guarantee women’s safety is unfit to govern,” he declared, adding that many women now feel pressured to return home early out of fear.

Bommai mentioned that the Bagalkot by-election represents a chance for voters to “bring down the government” and encouraged support for BJP candidate Veeranna Charantimath.

He claimed that a BJP victory would signal the beginning of a “countdown” for the Siddaramaiah government. He also called on women to dedicate time to campaigning and to raise awareness door-to-door.

The event saw participation from Leader of the Opposition R. Ashoka, Lok Sabha MP Govind Karjol, district president Shantagouda Patil, BJP Mahila Morcha state president Manjula, Sumedha Mane, and various other leaders.