K'taka BJP chief urges Cong not to undermine public trust in EC; focus on drought situation

Bengaluru: BJP State President and MLA B.Y. Vijayendra on Tuesday said making statements that create distrust among the public against constitutional institutions such as the Election Commission was not appropriate, and urged Congress leaders to refrain from making allegations against such institutions.

Addressing a press conference at the BJP office in Bengaluru, Vijayendra said elections involved both victories and defeats, and political parties should accept the outcome instead of questioning constitutional institutions after losing.

“Making statements that create distrust among the public against constitutional institutions such as the Election Commission is not right. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is in power at the Centre, and Congress and other parties have won elections and formed governments in different states. Victory and defeat are natural in elections. But blaming constitutional institutions after a defeat is not appropriate for democracy,” he said.

Questioning the Congress leaders’ allegations against the Election Commission and Chief Election Commissioner, Vijayendra said they should not make statements that tarnish constitutional institutions.

He also questioned why similar concerns were not raised when the sons of Union Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy and former Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai lost elections.

Vijayendra said the Congress leaders should not attempt to create doubts among people about the electoral system.

“Congress leaders and Mallikarjun Kharge should not make statements that bring a black mark on constitutional institutions. If they believe they can come to power at the Centre through such propaganda, that is far from reality,” he said.

Vijayendra alleged that the Congress government was not responding adequately to the plight of farmers despite the severe drought situation in Karnataka.

He said the BJP had demanded in both Houses of the legislature that farmers be provided at least Rs 50,000 compensation per acre. However, the government had provided only Rs 2,500 to farmers, which he said was inadequate.

“The government should provide at least Rs 50,000 per acre as compensation. If it cannot provide compensation because the state’s financial condition has deteriorated, it should openly admit it,” he said.

Vijayendra said farmers were facing distress and alleged that the government had failed to provide adequate relief, loan support and sufficient power supply.

He also demanded at least five hours of three-phase electricity every day for farmers and said the government should purchase power from other states if necessary.

Vijayendra demanded that Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar issue a white paper on the state’s financial condition.

Referring to a letter from the Finance Department, he said the communication had raised serious questions about Karnataka’s finances.

He alleged that the government was finding it difficult to implement its guarantee schemes and said beneficiaries of social security schemes, including pensions for senior citizens and persons with disabilities, were facing delays in receiving funds.

He also alleged that basic programmes such as housing for the poor were being affected while the government was providing opportunities to political workers through guarantee implementation committees.

“The government should immediately stop using taxpayers’ money for political workers. The government is accountable for taxpayers’ money,” Vijayendra said.

The state BJP chief also sought clarification from the government over allegations concerning a video conference purportedly held by Deputy Chief Minister G. Parameshwara.

He said beneficiaries of government schemes should be selected based on their needs and eligibility rather than lists allegedly provided by Congress workers.

Vijayendra said the BJP would organise ‘Seva Sankalpa’ programmes from October 1 to mark Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s 25 years of public service.

He said he would tour various districts as part of the programme and participate in the activities.

Vijayendra also said the party would strengthen its organisation from the booth level and prepare workers for the upcoming local body elections.

Reacting to KPCC president B.K. Hariprasad’s statement that he would undertake a padayatra from Shikaripura, Vijayendra said that he welcomed the move.

“He may have been inspired by our Ballari Chalo padayatra. Our padayatra helped bring down the arrogance of the state government. If he wants to undertake a padayatra, I welcome it,” he said.

Vijayendra said Shikaripura was the place where his political career began and was associated with the political legacy of former Chief Minister B.S. Yediyurappa.

He challenged Hariprasad to visit Shikaripura, undertake the padayatra and compare its development with the constituencies represented by the Chief Minister and other Congress leaders.

Vijayendra said the state government should first fulfil its responsibility towards farmers before taking an all-party delegation to the Centre.

“Provide Rs 50,000 compensation per acre as demanded unanimously by the Opposition. Waive farmers’ loans. If the state’s financial condition has deteriorated to such an extent that compensation cannot be provided, admit it openly. Calling a special session and merely blaming the Centre will not solve farmers’ problems,” he said.

He also demanded that the government provide adequate three-phase power to farmers and take steps to purchase electricity from other states if required.

Responding to Hariprasad’s statement that the BJP and RSS should be driven out of Bengaluru, Vijayendra said Congress leaders should first remember how many times people had rejected them in elections.

On the letter written by contractors to the Chief Minister seeking the release of pending bills, Vijayendra said the government should provide details of the increase in the state’s debt over the past three years instead of blaming the BJP.

He alleged that Karnataka’s debt had increased substantially under the Congress government and demanded a comprehensive white paper on the state’s finances, borrowing, expenditure on guarantee schemes and spending on other programmes.

“Put the complete account of the state’s financial condition, debt, expenditure on guarantees and expenditure on other programmes before the people. Stop using taxpayers’ money for political purposes,” Vijayendra said.

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