Bagalkot, (Karnataka), March 23 (NationPress) Union Minister for Food, Public Distribution, and Consumer Affairs, Pralhad Joshi, asserted on Monday that the threat posed by fundamentalists in West Bengal will be eliminated, expressing optimism for political transformations in the state as the Assembly elections approach.

During a large-scale roadshow preceding the nomination submissions for BJP candidate Veeranna Charantimath in the Bagalkot Assembly by-election, Joshi predicted that West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee would be ousted and that practices of appeasement politics would cease.

He conveyed confidence that the BJP would gain power in both Assam and West Bengal, while the NDA would establish the government in Tamil Nadu. Joshi also mentioned the party's expected strong performance in Kerala.

Encouraging voters, Joshi urged them to vote for Charantimath, highlighting his reputation as a leader with integrity. He emphasized that to prevent Pakistan from daring to challenge India and to maintain the strength of Operation Sindoor, the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi must continue at the national level.

Joshi also stated that electing Charantimath would ensure the successful conduct of events like the Shivaji and Ganesh festival processions.

In his criticism of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, Joshi accused him of corruption and likened his administration to that of the Mughals and subsequently the British, asserting that both followed a similar trajectory.

He condemned the Congress government for its corruption and rising prices, urging voters to send a decisive message by supporting the BJP.

At the gathering, former Deputy CM and BJP MP Govind Karjol claimed that Siddaramaiah has not lived up to the trust of the Badami constituents who elected him after his defeat in Mysuru.

Karjol noted that after Siddaramaiah lost in Mysuru, it was the voters of Badami in Bagalkot who kept him politically afloat by electing him.

“He has failed to repay that trust. Siddaramaiah is a significant deceiver. He does not serve the people and only makes empty promises during elections to secure votes,” he accused.

Commending the BJP candidate, Karjol remarked that Charantimath had secured over ₹3,100 crores in grants during the BJP’s tenure, developing the Bagalkot constituency to resemble Singapore.

He appealed to voters for their support in the upcoming election.

In further criticism of Siddaramaiah, Karjol referred to the Chief Minister's recent announcement regarding the foundation stone of a medical college, claiming it was a fulfillment of the late H.Y. Meti’s dream.

He highlighted that Siddaramaiah was Chief Minister from 2013 to 2018, and the medical college for Bagalkot was sanctioned in 2014-15.

“Had the foundation been laid then, it could have been completed by now. Even after his return to power in 2023, he could have finished it, yet he did not. He only speaks of development during elections,” Karjol stated.

He further accused the Congress government, which came to power by enticing the poor with its five guarantee schemes, of being embroiled in internal conflicts and corruption over the past three years.

“Even their own MLAs and ministers are admitting this. For the first time in history, a Speaker from their own party has exited the Assembly session. This is an ineffective and undesirable government in the state. Voters must recognize this,” he concluded.