Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru

Bengaluru, Mar 31: The Karnataka BJP has launched a series of protests against the Congress-led state government, accusing it of burdening the poor, engaging in appeasement politics, and failing to control rising prices.

State BJP President B.Y. Vijayendra announced that the party will stage continuous agitations across Karnataka to compel the government to roll back its policies. Addressing a press conference at the BJP state office "Jagannath Bhavan" in Bengaluru, he detailed the party’s action plan.

The first protest, an overnight demonstration against price hikes, will take place at Freedom Park in Bengaluru on April 2, starting at 11 a.m. All BJP MLAs, MLCs, former legislators, state office bearers, district presidents, and party workers will participate. On the same day, BJP members will protest near the statue of Kengal Hanumanthaiah, condemning the suspension of eight BJP MLAs from the Assembly.

The next phase of protests begins on April 5, with BJP workers staging demonstrations at district headquarters, taluks, and mandals across Karnataka.

The BJP will also launch a statewide awareness campaign, the ‘Janakrosha Yatra’, starting April 7 in Mysuru, where Union Minister Pralhad Joshi will flag it off. The yatra will cover multiple districts over several days, including:

• April 7 – Mysuru & Chamarajanagar
• April 8 – Mandya (morning) & Hassan (afternoon)
• April 9 – Kodagu & Mangaluru
• April 10 – Udupi & Chikkamagaluru
• April 13 – Shivamogga & Uttara Kannada (Phase 2)

The yatra will include foot marches spanning 2-3 km in major cities, with public meetings addressed by senior BJP leaders.

BJP’s allegations against Karnataka government

Vijayendra strongly criticized the Karnataka state budget, alleging that the Congress government is favoring minorities, particularly Muslims, while neglecting Hindus and other communities.

He accused the government of unconstitutional policies, including:

• 4% reservation for Muslims in government contracts
• Increased grants for Muslim students studying abroad (Rs 30 lakh from Rs 20 lakh)
• Additional funding for the safety of Muslim women
• Higher salaries for Imams

"Why are such schemes introduced only for Muslims? PM Modi’s Jan Dhan Yojana and former CM Yediyurappa’s Bhagyalakshmi scheme benefited all, not just one community," Vijayendra said.

He further accused CM Siddaramaiah of ignoring the Haalumatha and Kayaka communities while diverting funds meant for Scheduled Castes and Tribes (SC/ST). According to BJP’s claims, the Congress government misused Rs 11,144 crore allocated under the Special Component Plan (SCP) and Tribal Sub-Plan (TSP) in 2023-24, with similar misallocations projected for the next two years.

Additionally, the BJP blamed the Congress for Karnataka’s rising cost of living, citing higher petrol and diesel prices, increased stamp duties, metro fare hikes, and higher milk prices.

"Karnataka has become one of the most expensive states under the Congress government," Vijayendra claimed, accusing Siddaramaiah of economic mismanagement and anti-people policies.

The BJP vowed to intensify its protests across the state, promising to continue the fight against what it calls the Congress government’s failures.