Congress workers in Bengaluru on Tuesday, 3 November 2026, launched a poster campaign targeting Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Karnataka President and MLA B.Y. Vijayendra, branding him an 'RTGS thief' and demanding an apology for his alleged derogatory remarks against Indian National Congress (Congress) leaders. The campaign marks a sharp escalation in a political row that began after a speech Vijayendra delivered in Davanagere on 31 October 2026.

The Poster Campaign

Slogans including 'Vijayendra RTGS Villain', 'Coward', and 'RTGS Thief' were plastered near the residences of both B.Y. Vijayendra and his father, former Chief Minister B.S. Yediyurappa, in Bengaluru. Congress workers stated the posters were a direct response to what they called language unbecoming of a public figure holding a senior organisational position.

What Vijayendra Said in Davanagere

During his 31 October 2026 address in Davanagere, Vijayendra attacked the state Congress government over its handling of reservation policies, vacancies at the Karnataka Public Service Commission (KPSC), and commodity price hikes. He also took aim at a remark attributed to Congress leader V.S. Ugrappa about Prime Minister Narendra Modi, responding with what critics described as dismissive, derogatory language against Congress leaders.

In a widely circulated excerpt from the speech, Vijayendra said: 'If these lowly Congressmen had any shame left, they would have at least presented their arguments effectively. Instead, they are staging a drama and doing injustice to the oppressed classes.' The remarks were made in the context of the KPSC case proceedings before the Karnataka High Court.

Vijayendra Apologises, Holds Criticism

Responding to the controversy on Tuesday, Vijayendra expressed regret over his choice of words while reiterating his political critique of the government. 'I generally do not use such language at public platforms or on any occasion. If my choice of words has hurt anyone, I sincerely apologise. I had no intention of hurting anyone deliberately,' he said.

He nonetheless maintained that the Congress government had failed to take adequate steps to reform the KPSC and had not effectively argued the reservation case before the Karnataka High Court. 'Since they had not argued the case effectively before the Karnataka High Court, I naturally used a few words. If anyone has been hurt by them, I apologise,' he added.

Congress Reaction and Demonstrations

Congress leaders condemned the language as unbecoming of someone in a responsible organisational role. Incensed Congress activists reportedly staged demonstrations across Karnataka following the speech. The poster campaign in Bengaluru represents a continuation of that mobilisation, with party workers choosing public, high-visibility locations — including outside Yediyurappa's residence — to amplify their message.

This comes amid ongoing political tensions over the KPSC reservation dispute and broader governance critiques between the ruling Congress and the opposition BJP in Karnataka. With Vijayendra having tendered an apology while refusing to fully retreat from his political position, and Congress showing no sign of standing down, the row is likely to dominate Karnataka politics in the days ahead.