Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru

Belagavi, Apr 28: Deputy chief minister and Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) president D K Shivakumar issued a stern warning to the BJP on Monday, stating that if the party continued to disrupt Congress events, they would not be allowed to organise even a single meeting in the state.

Speaking to the media after a Congress protest event in Belagavi, Shivakumar condemned the disturbance caused during Chief Minister Siddaramaiah’s address. "BJP workers came to our protest programme waving black flags and creating chaos. Let me make it clear: if such behaviour continues, Congress workers will not allow BJP to hold even one meeting in Karnataka. This is our party’s commitment," he said.

Targeting the BJP, Shivakumar added, "I will instruct our workers to question the BJP at every opportunity — why petrol, diesel, gold, iron, and cement prices have skyrocketed. We are capable of taking on the BJP in every corner of the state," he warned.

He further cautioned BJP leaders to rein in their cadre. "This is not a request but a warning. If your workers misbehave, we are ready to counter your protests in every way possible," Shivakumar asserted.

Earlier in the day, a group of women BJP activists disrupted Siddaramaiah’s speech during a Congress rally at CPED Grounds in Belagavi. The rally was organised to protest against the Centre’s handling of price hikes and what Congress termed as anti-people policies. The BJP workers raised slogans against Siddaramaiah, opposing his recent remark that India should avoid going to war with Pakistan.

Addressing the gathering, Shivakumar criticised the Centre for rising living costs. "The sharp hikes in petrol, diesel, and cooking gas prices have triggered increases in the cost of all essential goods. Public anger should be directed at the BJP-led Central government," he said.

He recalled the historic significance of Belagavi, where the Congress recently celebrated the centenary of Mahatma Gandhi’s AICC session. "We held the ‘Jai Bapu, Jai Bhim, Jai Constitution’ rally on the same grounds, reinforcing our commitment to uphold constitutional values," he said.

Defending the state government’s policies, Shivakumar said, "On the very day the BJP launched its ‘Jan Aakrosh’ campaign against us, the Central government increased fuel prices. We raised the price of milk by just Rs 4 to support farmers, yet the BJP protests against us, exposing its anti-farmer mindset."

He urged the public to question BJP leaders about the burden of price hikes and said the Congress government was focusing on both welfare and development. "While the BJP plays politics based on emotions, we are working to change lives," he said.

Shivakumar also expressed condolences for the victims of the recent terrorist attack in Pahalgam and reiterated the Congress government's commitment to national unity. "Our Chief Minister has announced Rs 10 lakh compensation for the victims’ families. Our government stands with all communities and is moving forward inclusively," he added.