Daijiworld Media Network - Kaup (JD)
Kaup, March 2: State BJP president B Y Vijayendra has assured that all ongoing issues within the party will be resolved once the new state president is announced, during his visit to Kaup, Udupi.
Speaking about the ongoing discussions regarding the appointment of a new BJP state president, Vijayendra stated, “Our state’s situation is unique, but once the president is announced, all issues will be resolved. No matter what challenges arise, I remain calm because I know the solution, and so do our central leaders.”
Vijayendra noted that while the BJP has appointed presidents for 12 states, Karnataka, along with a few other states, is still awaiting the selection of a new president. He expressed confidence that the party leadership at the national-level would make the right decision, ensuring Karnataka gets a strong and capable state president.
Responding to Congress MLA’s statement that D K Shivakumar will become Chief Minister by December, Vijayendra dismissed the claim, saying, “The statement has come three months late. It could happen even sooner.”
Vijayendra was speaking to the media before attending religious programmes at the Kaup Sri Hosa Marigudi Temple. Prior to his visit to the temple, he spent time at Kapu beach, where he held discussions with BJP MLAs and district leaders. Prominent leaders such as MLA Yashpal Suvarna, Gurme Suresh Shetty, Harish Poonja, and Pramod Madhwaraj participated in the discussions.
The state budget session is set to begin on Monday, March 3, with chief minister Siddaramaiah presenting his 16th budget. Criticising the current government’s budget approach, Vijayendra recalled that during former chief minister B.S. Yediyurappa’s tenure, every district, especially Tulu Nadu, eagerly anticipated special grants. However, he claimed such considerations are lacking under the present government.
On the state’s financial health, Vijayendra remarked, “Looking at Siddaramaiah, we feel sorry for him. His own guarantee schemes have tied his hands. The state’s financial condition has deteriorated. Departments like Irrigation and Public Works have no funds, and even paying electricity bills has become a challenge. The energy minister himself has admitted that various government departments owe Rs 6,000 crore in unpaid electricity bills. This reflects the poor governance of the current administration.”
He also alleged that the state’s law and order situation had worsened and that MLAs were left waiting for financial allocations for their constituencies. “Never before has our state seen such a situation,” he said.
Further, Vijayendra criticised the government for shutting down nine universities, claiming that the state lacked the funds to provide financial aid to them.
Addressing Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar’s political strategies, especially his participation in events organised by the Isha Foundation alongside the state’s Home Minister, Vijayendra remarked, “There is no need to assign special meaning to this.”
He also pointed out the growing number of CM aspirants within Congress, stating, “In the coming days, everything will unfold.”
Vijayendra further commented on D.K. Shivakumar’s recent remarks directed at the Kannada film industry, stating, “Shivakumar is acting out of frustration due to internal party conflicts and his ambition to become CM. The statements from minister Rajanna and others make this clear.”
He also alleged that Shivakumar was venting his frustrations on the film industry because he could not do so within his own party. “In a democratic system, there is no place for threats and coercion,” he added.