Bengaluru, May 19 (IANS) Karnataka BJP President and MLA B.Y. Vijayendra on Tuesday launched a sharp attack on the Congress government, questioning its decision to celebrate completion of three years in office and alleging that the state has witnessed “misgovernance, corruption and administrative collapse” under its rule.

It can be noted that amid continuing speculation over leadership issues within the Congress party, the Karnataka government is set to celebrate the completion of three years in office with a mega event titled ‘Pragatiyatta Karnataka’ in Tumakuru, near Bengaluru, on Tuesday. As part of the programme, the government will distribute property documents to 1.52 lakh beneficiaries.

In a statement, Vijayendra asked what exactly the Congress government intended to celebrate, alleging that the state was facing rising debt, an empty treasury and a lack of development works. He claimed that roads, hospitals, schools, irrigation projects and civic infrastructure works across the state were suffering due to a shortage of funds, while the government was focused on advertisements and political management.

He further alleged that the financial burden of the government’s policies would ultimately fall on the youth of Karnataka in the future. The BJP leader also accused the government of failing to clear contractor payments, delaying infrastructure projects and delivering “zero development” during its tenure.

Criticising the Congress government’s guarantee schemes, Vijayendra alleged that the guarantees were irregular and delayed, and were being used more as electoral tools than welfare commitments. He also accused the government of burdening common citizens through price hikes of essential commodities.

Vijayendra further alleged that scams, commissions and diversion of public resources had become rampant under the present administration. He claimed that Karnataka was being turned into an “ATM” for the Congress high command in an attempt to protect the ruling leadership’s position.

The BJP state president also targeted the government over the law and order situation in the state. He alleged that riots, drug networks, rowdy activities, murders and assaults had increased, creating fear among citizens. According to him, criminals appeared emboldened under the current government while ordinary people no longer felt protected.

Referring to recent allegations regarding prison conditions, Vijayendra claimed that even jails were turning into “party hubs”, with criminals allegedly enjoying VIP treatment inside prisons. “If criminals are celebrating inside prisons, what moral right does the Congress government have to celebrate outside?” he questioned.

Accusing the government of failing on finances, development, welfare delivery and law and order, Vijayendra described the Congress government’s anniversary celebrations as a reminder of “three years of misgovernance, corruption, appeasement and betrayal of people’s trust.”

He asserted that while the Congress may project a “self-praising report card”, the people of Karnataka would deliver their verdict through the ballot box.

–IANS

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