Rahul Gandhi joining anti-national forces out of desperation: Karnataka BJP chief Vijayendra
Synopsis
Karnataka BJP president B.Y. Vijayendra used a 'Vocal for Local' event in Bengaluru to launch a two-front attack: alleging Rahul Gandhi is aligning with 'anti-national elements' out of Prime Ministerial ambition frustrated, and accusing the Congress government of trying to dismantle a High Court-constituted SIT probing the KPSC recruitment scam — demanding CBI intervention.
Key Takeaways
Vijayendra alleged that Rahul Gandhi is joining 'anti-national elements' out of frustration over failing to become Prime Minister.
Vijayendra accused the Karnataka Congress government of attempting to interfere with the KPSC scam SIT by seeking removal of investigating officer Alok Kumar .
He demanded a CBI investigation into the KPSC scam, alleging a cover-up.
He drew a parallel with former CM Siddaramaiah's abolition of the Lokayukta, alleging a pattern of shielding the government from accountability.
Shivakumar's silence on the SIT controversy was flagged as significant by Vijayendra.
Karnataka Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) President B.Y. Vijayendra on Friday, 16 October 2026, alleged that Congress leader Rahul Gandhi was aligning with what he described as 'anti-national elements' out of frustration over his failure to bring the Congress to power nationally. Vijayendra made the remarks while speaking to the media at the BJP's 'Vocal for Local' programme at Pottery Town in Bengaluru.
Attack on Rahul Gandhi
Vijayendra alleged that Gandhi had grown frustrated by both his inability to assume the office of Prime Minister and by the popularity of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He claimed that Gandhi had consequently joined protests alongside organisations that, in his characterisation, were conspiring to create unrest in the country.
'Anarchy cannot be created in our country. The people have rejected the Congress. The party should introspect and understand why it has become disconnected from the people,' Vijayendra said.
He further alleged that the Congress leader had expressed distrust in electronic voting machines (EVMs), the Election Commission of India, and the Supreme Court, and accused the Congress and Left-wing organisations of working together against national stability.
KPSC Scam and SIT Interference Allegations
Vijayendra also trained his guns on the Karnataka state government over the Karnataka Public Service Commission (KPSC) recruitment scam investigation, alleging that the Congress administration was attempting to weaken the probe by removing honest officers from the Special Investigation Team (SIT) constituted by the High Court.
He specifically highlighted the exclusion of investigating officer Alok Kumar, alleging that the state government had approached the Supreme Court to have Kumar and other officers removed. He demanded that the SIT be permitted to continue its work with the officers originally appointed by the High Court.
'If Priyank Kharge is genuinely honest and the government has the determination to investigate the KPSC scam, it should allow the officers appointed by the High Court to conduct the investigation,' he said, alleging that efforts were under way to cover up the scam.
Lokayukta Abolition and Broader Pattern
Drawing a historical parallel, Vijayendra recalled that former Chief Minister Siddaramaiah had abolished the Lokayukta and set up the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB), alleging that government-favoured officials had been placed in key positions to facilitate a clean chit. He contended that a similar pattern was now being repeated in the KPSC probe.
He also alleged that Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar had remained conspicuously silent on the controversy, and called for a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) inquiry. 'Let a CBI investigation be conducted so that the truth comes out,' he demanded.
Context and Political Background
Vijayendra was accompanied at the event by Bengaluru North district BJP president S. Harish and other party leaders. He also used the occasion to praise Modi's 25 years in public life, claiming the Prime Minister had maintained an unblemished record. He said his visit to Pottery Town was aimed at understanding the challenges faced by local potters and promoting their products as part of the 'Vocal for Local' initiative.
The BJP's escalating attacks on the Karnataka government over the KPSC scam come amid broader Opposition pressure on the Congress-led administration, and the controversy over the SIT's composition is expected to remain a flashpoint in state politics in the weeks ahead.
Point of View
Lending institutional weight to the Opposition's narrative; if the government is seen to have interfered, the political cost will be significant. The Lokayukta-to-ACB parallel is not idle rhetoric — it is a documented institutional change that critics at the time also flagged as weakening anti-corruption oversight. Whether the Congress can credibly counter the SIT narrative will determine how damaging this episode becomes.
NationPress
16 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What did Karnataka BJP chief Vijayendra allege about Rahul Gandhi?
B.Y. Vijayendra alleged on 16 October 2026 that Rahul Gandhi was joining 'anti-national elements' because of frustration over his failure to bring the Congress to power and his inability to become Prime Minister. He also accused Gandhi of expressing distrust in EVMs, the Election Commission, and the Supreme Court.
What is the KPSC scam and why is it controversial?
The Karnataka Public Service Commission (KPSC) recruitment scam involves alleged irregularities in recruitment processes. A Special Investigation Team (SIT) was constituted by the High Court to probe it, but Vijayendra has alleged that the Congress government is attempting to interfere by seeking the removal of key investigating officer Alok Kumar from the SIT.
Who is Priyank Kharge and what is his alleged connection to the KPSC scam?
Priyank Kharge is a Congress leader and minister in the Karnataka government. Vijayendra alleged that discussions about Kharge's possible role in the KPSC scam have grown because of the government's attempts to remove officers from the SIT, though these remain allegations and have not been established as fact.
Why is the BJP demanding a CBI investigation into the KPSC scam?
Vijayendra demanded a CBI probe arguing that the state government cannot be trusted to conduct an impartial investigation, citing its alleged attempts to remove High Court-appointed SIT officers. He claimed the government's actions were aimed at keeping the details of the scam confidential.
What is the 'Vocal for Local' programme Vijayendra attended?
The 'Vocal for Local' programme is a BJP initiative to promote locally made products. Vijayendra visited Pottery Town in Bengaluru as part of this drive to engage with potters, understand their challenges, and promote their crafts.
