Daijiworld Media Network - Kalaburagi

Kalaburagi, April 18: Following a cabinet meeting on the caste census that ended without a decisive outcome, State BJP president and MLA B Y Vijayendra on Friday took aim at Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, alleging that he lacks the resolve to take firm decisions on key issues.

Speaking to the media, Vijayendra remarked, “A special cabinet meeting was held on Thursday to decide on the controversial caste census, a subject close to Siddaramaiah’s heart. However, no decision was made due to the chief minister’s lack of conviction.”

He further added, “If Siddaramaiah had genuine intent to do justice to the Backward Classes, Scheduled Castes, and Scheduled Tribes, such a massive scam wouldn’t have been allowed in the ST Development Corporation. The misuse of Rs 38,500 crore earmarked for Dalit welfare would not have happened.”

When questioned about reports of students being asked to remove their sacred thread (Janivara) during the recent Common Entrance Test (CET), Vijayendra responded strongly, calling the development “unacceptable”.

Turning his attention to allegations of illegal sand mining in the state, the BJP leader said, “I recently visited the Chittapur constituency, represented by Minister for Rural Development & Panchayat Raj, IT and BT, Priyank Kharge. The sand mafia is operating openly in the Kagina River, right under his nose. Four to five trucks are running with the same number plate. The illegal sand trade has spread to Maharashtra and other neighbouring states.”

He questioned whether minister Kharge was oblivious to the issue. “Everyone is talking about the corruption and sand mafia flourishing right under his nose. Why is daylight robbery being allowed in his district? What benefit is he getting from this? He must answer,” Vijayendra said.

He also criticised Chief Minister Siddaramaiah for claiming to be a devotee of the 12th-century social reformer Basavanna, saying the CM had failed to understand the essence of Basavanna’s teachings.

“Basavanna dreamt of an equal society and lived by his words. But you (Siddaramaiah) stoked fire by speaking of Veerashaiva–Lingayat as separate religions,” he alleged.

Vijayendra pointed out that even Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar had once publicly apologised for trying to divide the Veerashaiva–Lingayat community, admitting that it was a mistake.

“Unfortunately, people voted them back to power. Now, to appease minorities, they are insulting Hindus,” he added.