Hubballi (Karnataka), Jan 24 (NationPress) As the Karnataka government prepares for a significant event aimed at distributing homes to over 20,000 beneficiaries this Saturday, the state BJP has organized a protest rally against the government, accusing it of protocol violations and disregarding the Opposition.

Key figures such as MLAs Mahesh Tenginakai and M.R. Patil led the rally, voicing their discontent towards Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and the ruling government.

During the protest, they displayed posters which criticized the state government for utilizing funds from the Centre while misrepresenting the initiative as purely a state endeavor.

Mahesh Tenginakai pointed out that the state government failed to extend invitations to Union Minister Pralhad Joshi, who represents the region in the Lok Sabha, along with other BJP leaders, effectively transforming the event into a Congress party affair and breaching established protocols.

“The houses being inaugurated today were constructed under the BJP government. The contributions of former Chief Minister B.S. Yediyurappa, along with other leaders like V. Somanna, Jagadish Shettar, and Basavaraj Bommai, were instrumental in this project. The current Congress-led government has merely completed minor pending tasks before handing over the houses to beneficiaries,” he stated.

“I challenge the state government and the Housing Minister: how many houses have been built in the two-and-a-half years since you took office? The Centre plays a crucial role in this project, providing Rs 1.5 lakh for each house, while the land was allocated by the Hubballi-Dharwad City Corporation. The state must recognize the Centre’s contributions,” he emphasized.

“Although they added Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s photo, they overlooked Union Minister Pralhad Joshi, who resides in Hubballi. It is regrettable that he wasn’t invited to the event, especially since this event was rescheduled multiple times and could have accommodated his availability,” he added.

In a related incident, a large cut-out of a leader set up at the venue on Mandur Road collapsed, injuring several individuals who were subsequently transported to a hospital. Congress sources indicated that arrangements were made for nearly three lakh attendees at the event.

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, Housing and Waqf Minister Zameer Ahmad Khan, and other high-profile leaders are expected to participate, with AICC President Mallikarjun Kharge also in attendance.

Reports suggest the event serves as a display of strength for the Siddaramaiah faction, aiming to convey a robust message to the party leadership amid ongoing power struggles.

Notably, Deputy Chief Minister and State Congress President D.K. Shivakumar is absent, as he is currently in Davos.