Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Karnataka unit President and MLA B.Y. Vijayendra on Thursday, 16 July warned that the Congress government in Karnataka faces a West Bengal-like electoral rout, addressing a large-scale party protest rally in Haveri city that condemned the alleged collapse of law and order and accused the state government of appeasement politics linked to a surge in serious crimes, including murders.

Vijayendra's Warning to Congress

Speaking at the rally, Vijayendra expressed full confidence in the BJP's grassroots cadre, saying the party had the strength to replicate in Karnataka what it had achieved in West Bengal. He accused the ruling Congress of pursuing anti-Hindu and anti-farmer policies, questioning whether only minorities had voted to bring the party to power.

'We must raise our voice in support of Hindus and create awareness among the people. Whenever elections are held in Karnataka, our workers have the strength to defeat the anti-Hindu Congress and ensure BJP's victory. There is no question of our cadre being demoralised,' Vijayendra said.

Drawing a parallel with West Bengal, he alleged that Hindus had faced atrocities under the Mamata Banerjee-led government and claimed BJP workers had successfully uprooted the All India Trinamool Congress (TMC) government under the leadership of Union Home Minister Amit Shah and BJP National President Nitin Nabin.

Bommai Alleges Police-Criminal Nexus in Haveri

Former Chief Minister and Haveri-Gadag MP Basavaraj Bommai, who also addressed the gathering, alleged a deep nexus between local police and criminal elements. 'Drug peddlers, operators of illegal gambling dens and those selling illicit liquor are functioning in partnership with the police. Individuals who were externed and those listed as rowdy-sheeters are virtually running police stations,' Bommai alleged.

Bommai described the Congress government as 'bankrupt,' claiming it had failed to respond to farmer distress. He said Haveri had historically been a land of communal harmony — the birthplace of revered saints and poets such as Sarvajna, Kanakadasa, and Shishunala Sharif — but that Congress had turned it into a district with collapsed law and order. 'This government must be removed, and a BJP government must be formed on the third floor of Vidhana Soudha,' he said.

Bidadi Township and Farmer Concerns

Vijayendra also trained his attack on the state government over the proposed Bidadi township project, alleging it was attempting to acquire agricultural land without regard for farmers' concerns. He announced that the BJP would stage a follow-up protest in Bengaluru on Friday against the project and urged party workers to intensify outreach across the state.

Vijayendra praised the BJP's own governance record on farm welfare, citing former Chief Minister B.S. Yediyurappa's decisions to provide compensation without waiting for National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF) assistance, and former Chief Minister Bommai's introduction of the Raitha Vidyanidhi scheme.

Other Leaders at the Rally

Former minister Byrathi Basavaraj, BJP district president Virupakshappa Ballari, and several senior party leaders were present at the protest. The rally is part of a broader BJP offensive against the Karnataka Congress government ahead of what the party frames as a long campaign to return to power in the state.

With the Bengaluru protest scheduled for Friday and party leadership calling for intensified district-level outreach, the BJP's agitation in Karnataka appears set to escalate in the coming days.