Karnataka BJP Critiques Congress as Advertisement-Focused Government

Gadag, April 22 (NationPress) The Karnataka BJP criticized the Congress government in the state on Tuesday regarding the rising prices of essential goods, labeling it an 'advertisement-focused government'.

“This is not a government that serves the people. It is an advertisement-driven administration. They are misleading the public through advertisements in newspapers and television. Despite the fuel price hikes, Karnataka is not witnessing any tangible benefits or progress,” stated Karnataka BJP state president and MLA B.Y. Vijayendra during a public rally as part of the 'Janakrosh Yatra' in Gadag.

He noted that petrol prices have surged by Rs 3.50 and diesel by Rs 5.50 per litre, all while the government invests heavily in advertisements promoting guarantee schemes.

Vijayendra expressed that the ongoing price increases by the Congress government are a significant issue.

He accused Chief Minister Siddaramaiah of unfairly treating the Hindu community in the state budget to “appease” the minority community, asserting that the BJP is raising public awareness on this matter.

Vijayendra charged the state administration with “misappropriating” Rs 38,500 crore allocated for the welfare of Scheduled Castes and Tribes, diverting those funds for other uses.

“We are conducting the Janakrosh Yatra to voice our protest against this corrupt Congress regime,” he remarked.

Vijayendra challenged the Congress government to disclose how much funding has been dedicated to the Gadag district.

“In the past 20 months under Siddaramaiah's government, no new project has been initiated in Gadag or other districts. During the terms of former BJP Chief Ministers B.S. Yediyurappa and Basavaraj Bommai, Gadag received allocations ranging from Rs 4,000 to Rs 5,000 crore. How much has Siddaramaiah allocated for Gadag’s development?” he questioned.

He denounced the government's inaction regarding the critical drinking water crisis, stating: “If they cannot address the drinking water problem, how can we expect them to promote development? While we harbor no personal animosity towards Siddaramaiah, there is significant discussion surrounding these so-called guarantees. Under Yediyurappa, farmers paid just Rs 25,000 for electric connections to their fields. Now, under Siddaramaiah, it costs between Rs 2.5 to Rs 3 lakh.

He also mentioned that milk prices have risen by Rs 9 in the last 20 months, questioning how the impoverished are expected to cope in such circumstances.

Former minister and MLA G. Janardhan Reddy accused Chief Minister Siddaramaiah of fostering division among communities through the caste census and transforming the state into a “demonic state.”

Reddy alleged that the Chief Minister is actively promoting disunity among people and instigating conflict between different castes.

He further claimed that the state government is providing poor governance through price increases and the caste census. He noted that the Janakrosh Yatra, led by BJP State President B.Y. Vijayendra, is being warmly received by people across Karnataka.

Reddy condemned what he termed attacks on Hindu culture, referencing a recent incident where a student was forced to remove their ‘Janivara’ (sacred thread) before taking an exam.

The event included participation from several BJP officials, including former Deputy CM and MP Govind Karjol, Leader of Opposition in the Legislative Council Chalavadi Narayanaswamy, former minister B. Sriramulu, Chief Whip of the opposition in the Council N. Ravikumar, MLAs and former ministers C.C. Patil and G. Janardhana Reddy, MLA Chandru Lamani, MLC S.V. Sankanur, former MLA Kalakappa Bandi, district BJP president Thotappa (Raju) Kuradagi, along with other state and district office holders, mandal presidents, and party leaders.