Bengaluru, April 2 (NationPress) The BJP in Karnataka has accused the Congress party of distributing between Rs 5 lakh and Rs 10 lakh in each village as a desperate strategy to secure victory in the upcoming bye-elections in the state.

During a press briefing at the BJP's state headquarters, “Jagannath Bhavan,” in Bengaluru, the Leader of the Opposition in the Legislative Council, Chalavadi Narayanaswamy, alleged that prior to the Chief Minister’s visit, Rs 5 to Rs 10 lakh was being distributed in each village as part of their election strategy.

Narayanaswamy expressed his belief that voters have made up their minds to support Veeranna Charantimath in Bagalkot and noted that even members of the Muslim community are rallying behind the BJP.

When asked about the election prospects, he expressed confidence that the BJP would achieve a significant victory in Bagalkot.

He criticized the Chief Minister for spending five days in the constituency, suggesting it was an indication of the Congress's anticipated defeat.

Moreover, he claimed that in several areas, roads have been temporarily covered with red soil, asserting that the Congress is struggling to mobilize its party workers and is relying on government employees and teachers.

In Davanagere, he mentioned that the community believes Sadiq Pailwan has been deceived by the Congress, leading some Muslims there to contemplate not voting.

He highlighted that the presence of an SDPI candidate could also complicate matters for the Congress, particularly since Mohammad Nalapad had made comments that angered the Muslim community, which he suggested could contribute to the Congress's defeat.

Narayanaswamy also pointed out internal discord within the Congress regarding candidate selection, indicating that such issues could work to the BJP's advantage in both constituencies.

He raised questions regarding Prime Minister Modi's influence on Rahul Gandhi's statements, and touched upon the escalating conflict in the Middle East, warning that India's dependence on Gulf countries for crude oil could result in increased prices.

He criticized the Congress for rising prices linked to its guarantee schemes and argued that it is unfair to blame the BJP for what he termed the anti-people policies of the Congress.

In addition, Rajya Sabha member Narayanasa Bhandage asserted that the Congress has already conceded defeat.

While addressing the media in Bagalkot, he recalled a prior statement from former Chief Minister Siddaramaiah claiming he didn’t need Hindu votes, suggesting that Siddaramaiah's recent shift in stance to appeal to Hindus was hypocritical.

Bhandage went further to challenge Siddaramaiah’s Hindu identity by referencing his past remarks about being born a Muslim in a future life.

He also took a jab at the Congress by stating, “you descend from Aurangzeb, Babur, and Tipu Sultan, while we are descendants of Shivaji.”

In a recent statement, he claimed he would line up students to vote and dared authorities to take action against him for it.

He raised questions regarding Sonia Gandhi's voter registration, implying discrepancies in her citizenship status at the time.

Senior BJP leader and former minister N. Mahesh accused the Congress of attempting to intimidate student voters, suggesting that Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar's historical tactics of intimidation have resurfaced.

Mahesh stated that the people of Bagalkot are peaceful and would resist any attempts to incite unrest, emphasizing that such behavior might be acceptable in Bengaluru and Kanakapura, but not in Bagalkot, Shivakumar's hometown.

In response to Randeep Surjewala's comment that BJP leaders are akin to pickpockets, Mahesh countered that it is the Congress that has been robbing the public over the last three years, from hospital fees to essentials like milk and alcohol.

He condemned the Congress as “daylight robbers,” claiming that Rs 187 crore designated for the development of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes was misappropriated for Telangana elections.

Mahesh further alleged that the Congress misused Rs 53,000 crore from the Special Component Plan and Tribal Sub-Plan, adding that even the Chief Minister had acknowledged in the Assembly that such actions constituted “daylight robbery.”