Yediyurappa Critiques Karnataka Congress; Plans BJP Revitalization

Veteran BJP leader and former Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa on Friday accused the Congress government in Karnataka of being mired in rampant corruption and having stalled nearly all development works.

The BJP Central Parliamentary Board member also announced that he plans to visit the party office daily and stay until afternoon, when he is in Bengaluru, and that he would visit one or two districts every week going forward, aimed at resolving the issues of party workers and strengthening the party.

"The current situation in the state is dire, and there is no one to listen to the public's grievances. The government is only focused on publicity and has completely neglected development," Yediyurappa told reporters here.

Pointing out that irrigation projects have come to a complete standstill, he challenged the government to show even one kilometer of road work completed anywhere in the state. He accused the government of operating like a "Tughlaq Darbar." Asserting that the BJP is not against minorities, Yediyurappa said, "but excessively favouring minorities while ignoring Scheduled Castes and Tribes is an unforgivable offense. This government is indulging in appeasement politics solely for vote-bank gains. We strongly condemn this." He urged the government to wake up and focus on development. "It should ensure justice for people of all communities," he insisted.

When asked about the purported audio clip of Congress MLA B R Patil, in which he claimed that those who pay bribes to get houses allotted under the Housing Department's schemes, the senior leader said, "What B R Patil said is 100 per cent true. No work gets done without money. Even poor people who need houses are forced to pay bribes. The government must acknowledge this fault and correct it to deliver justice to the underprivileged." Responding to a question, Yediyurappa said, "BJP and JDS are not separate. We will move forward together. H D Deve Gowda himself has on several occasions expressed his trust and confidence in Prime Minister Narendra Modi." He added, in the coming days, the BJP and JDS will work together to bring down this government and form our own. "We will make every necessary effort in that direction." Regarding internal discontent within the state BJP, Yediyurappa welcomed Union Minister Pralhad Joshi's efforts to engage with dissatisfied members and resolve issues. "I am too ready to speak with anyone who is unhappy," he said.