Daijiworld Media Network- Bengaluru
Bengaluru, Apr 13: In a fresh offensive against the Congress-led Karnataka government, senior BJP leader Amit Malviya on Sunday held Rahul Gandhi’s so-called “khata khat” governance model responsible for the mounting utility bills and proposed water charge hikes in Bengaluru.
Taking to social media, Malviya, who heads the BJP’s National Information and Technology Department, hit out at the ruling Congress, alleging that the state is now bearing the brunt of the unrealistic freebies promised by the party in the run-up to the Assembly elections.
“Karnataka is paying the price for Rahul Gandhi’s ‘khata khat’ model,” Malviya wrote, while sharing a media report on the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike’s (BBMP) proposed move to increase water bills by at least 32 per cent starting May, along with a likely hike in sewerage charges.
Citing official inflation data, Malviya added, “According to figures released by the union ministry of statistics and programme implementation, the consumer price index-based inflation in Karnataka stood at 4.49 per cent in February 2025—well above the national average of 3.61 per cent.”
The BJP leader linked the high inflation and proposed hikes to alleged financial mismanagement by the Congress government, stating that such consequences are inevitable when a party makes “populist and economically unviable” promises.
The statement comes on the heels of an overnight protest staged by the BJP earlier this month at Freedom Park in Bengaluru. The protest, which drew large participation from party heavyweights including BS Yediyurappa, CT Ravi, Ashwath Narayan, and B Sriramulu, saw BJP leaders lambasting the Congress government over steep price hikes and its decision to provide a 4 per cent quota for Muslims in government tenders.
In a symbolic protest, party members displayed milk cans adorned with slogans condemning the government’s alleged insensitivity to public hardship. Posters targeting Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and opposing the Muslim quota were also prominently featured.
BJP State president and MLA BY Vijayendra took a sharp dig at the ruling dispensation, dubbing it a “guarantee government for price hikes.” He accused the Congress of failing to implement its welfare schemes effectively and urged the Chief Minister to step out of his comfort zone.
“You are not just the CM of Bengaluru. Travel to Raichur, Koppal, Belagavi, and other districts to understand the suffering of the common people,” he said.
Vijayendra also highlighted the rising prices of agricultural inputs, including seeds, and accused the government of turning a blind eye to the struggles of women, farmers, and low-income groups. “While they boast about delivering free electricity and Rs 2,000 to women, the reality on the ground tells a different story,” he said.
He further alleged that essential commodities like petrol, diesel, milk, and even services at government hospitals have become more expensive under Congress rule. “Just yesterday, diesel prices were hiked by Rs 2. This will have a cascading effect on transportation and essential goods,” he pointed out.
With mounting public discontent over rising living costs, the political climate in Karnataka appears to be heating up once again.