Congress distributing cash in villages: K’taka BJP

Bengaluru, April 2 (IANS) The Karnataka BJP has alleged that the Congress party is distributing between Rs 5 lakh and Rs 10 lakh in each village to win the bye-election in the state.​

Speaking to the media at the BJP state office “Jagannath Bhavan” in Bengaluru, Leader of the Opposition in the Legislative Council, Chalavadi Narayanaswamy, alleged that before the Chief Minister’s visit, Rs 5 to Rs 10 lakh was being distributed in each village in desperation to win the bypolls.​

He said that people have decided to ensure the victory of Veeranna Charantimath in Bagalkot and claimed that even Muslims are extending support to the BJP.​

Responding to another question, he expressed confidence that the BJP would secure a decisive victory in the Bagalkot election. ​

He alleged that, anticipating defeat in villages, the Chief Minister has been camping in the constituency for five days. ​

He claimed that in some places roads have been temporarily covered with red soil, and that the Congress is struggling to find party workers, so it is using government employees and teachers.​

Referring to Davanagere, he said there is a perception that Sadiq Pailwan has been misled by the Congress. ​

He added that Muslims there are considering not voting. ​

He noted that an SDPI candidate is also in the fray and alleged that Mohammad Nalapad had spoken against Muslims, which has further angered the community. He said these factors could contribute to the Congress’s defeat.​

He also stated that there is dissatisfaction within the Congress over candidate selection and suggested that internal differences within the party could benefit the BJP in both places.​

He questioned whether PM Modi was responsible for Rahul Gandhi speaking in such a manner. ​

Referring to the situation in the Middle East, he said a war has begun in the region, and that India depends on Gulf countries for crude oil, which could lead to higher prices.​

He accused the Congress of increasing prices under the pretext of its guarantee schemes and said it was not right to tag the BJP for what he termed as anti-people policies of the Congress.​

Meanwhile, Rajya Sabha member Narayanasa Bhandage has said that the Congress has already accepted defeat.​

Speaking to the media in Bagalkot, he alleged that earlier Chief Minister Siddaramaiah had said he did not need Hindu votes, and that it was also reported in newspapers.​

He criticised that now the same leader is claiming “I am also a Hindu, you are also Hindus.” ​

Referring to Siddaramaiah’s past remark about being born a Muslim in the next life, he questioned what kind of Hindu he is and suggested that he should become a Muslim in this very life. ​

He further criticised by saying “you are descendants of Aurangzeb, Babur and Tipu Sultan,” while adding “we are descendants of Shivaji.”​

Referring to statements made yesterday about “brother-brother,” he said he himself would take students in a line and make them vote, and challenged authorities to either jail him or those students if they had the courage.​

He also questioned how a leader he referred to as “Antonio Maino” (Sonia Gandhi) could have had her name on the voter list when she was not yet a citizen of the country.​

Senior BJP leader and former minister N. Mahesh has alleged that the Congress is attempting to intimidate student voters and said that Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar’s past mindset of intimidation seems to have resurfaced.​

He said in Bagalkot that the people here are peace-loving and would oppose any attempts to create unrest. ​

He added that such behaviour may be confined to places like Bengaluru and Kanakapura, but would not be tolerated here. It can be noted that Kanakapura is the native place of Deputy Chief Minister Shivakumar.​

Referring to AICC leader Randeep Surjewala’s remark that BJP leaders are pickpockets, Mahesh hit back, alleging that it is the Congress that has been “picking people’s pockets” over the past three years, from hospital fees to milk and even alcohol. ​

He said this perception is widespread among the public and added that they are not just pickpockets but “daylight robbers.”​

He further alleged that Rs 187 crore meant for the development of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes communities through the Valmiki Development Corporation was misappropriated and used for the Telangana elections. ​

He also accused the Congress of misusing Rs 53,000 crore under the Special Component Plan and Tribal Sub-Plan. ​

He claimed that even the Chief Minister had admitted in the Assembly that such actions amounted to “daylight robbery.”​

--IANS 

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