Police stations have become Congress offices, BJP-JD(S) complain to Guv

Bengaluru: Alleging that the ruling Congress government is targeting opposition party workers out of political vendetta and misusing its authority, an NDA delegation comprising BJP and JD(S) leaders on Tuesday submitted a complaint against the government to Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot.

Union Minister HD Kumaraswamy, Leader of Opposition in the Assembly R Ashoka, Leader of Opposition in the Legislative Council Chalavadi Narayanaswamy, JD(S) leaders SL Bhojegowda and TA Sharavana, MLAs Srivatsa and Vithal Halagakeri, MP Mallesh Babu and several other leaders were part of the delegation.

The delegation alleged that BJP-JD(S) workers were being harassed through the filing of FIRs under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) in connection with Form-7 applications related to electoral rolls. It demanded an immediate halt to what it termed politically motivated cases.

The leaders also alleged that although the Chief Minister and ministers had staged a protest before the Election Commission, a constitutional institution, no police action had been taken against them. They urged the Governor to intervene and issue strict directions to the government.

Speaking to the media after meeting the Governor, R. Ashoka alleged that the Congress government was running the administration in violation of the law and attempting to suppress opposition workers through what he described as “goondaism.” He said the delegation had requested the Governor to dismiss the government. “Police stations in the state are functioning like Congress offices.

FIRs have been filed without reason against several people, including Jayanagar MLA CK Ramamurthy. When we met the Election Commission and sought clarification, it made it clear that it had not lodged complaints against anyone. Despite this, the police are registering cases out of political vendetta,” Ashoka alleged.

He also criticised the government over its financial management, alleging that the government had come to power promising guarantee schemes but was now increasing the burden on people. Referring to the reported proposals to increase milk and bus ticket prices, Ashoka alleged that the government was resorting to such measures to raise revenue.

JD(S) leader SL Bhojegowda alleged that FIRs were being used as a weapon to divert attention from the drought situation and the alleged failures of the government. Referring to former Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa’s statement, he said the NDA alliance remained intact and would contest all elections together, including the 2028 Assembly elections. I have kept the sharper descriptions such as “goondaism,” “political vendetta” and the allegations about the government’s finances explicitly attributed to the speakers rather than presenting them as established facts.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

The Hans India