Pics: Spoorthi Ullal

Daijiworld Media Network – Mangaluru

Mangaluru, June 23:  The District BJP staged a widespread protest on Monday, June 23 at the Mangaluru City Corporation (MCC) premises, condemning the Congress-led state government’s “anti-people and anti-farmer” policies, alleged corruption, and failure to respond to recent civic issues.

The protest was held simultaneously across all 223 grama panchayats, the MCC, two city council offices, and various municipal offices throughout Dakshina Kannada district, signalling a coordinated show of dissent from the party.

'Govt steeped in corruption and appeasement': Vikas Puttur

Speaking during the demonstration, BJP leader Vikas Puttur launched a scathing attack on the Siddaramaiah-led government, stating, “In just two years of Congress rule, we’ve been forced to protest against a government that appeases one particular community, fails to implement local development schemes, and hasn’t constructed a single house under the Ashraya scheme. The administration is steeped in corruption.”

He further alleged religious bias and suppression of dissent: “Have you seen any Hindus attending meetings with the home minister or the district in-charge minister during their visits to the district? We are in an emergency-like situation under the Siddaramaiah-led government. If anyone posts against the government on social media, they are arrested. The state government hijacked RCB’s victory celebrations and is directly responsible for the death of 11 innocent people during the stampede.”

MLA slams civic failures, flood mismanagement

Joining the protest, Mangaluru South MLA Vedavyas Kamath accused the Congress government of misgovernance. “The state government has failed in governance. Their administration is corrupt and anti-people, which is why we are protesting. The BJP's term in the Mangaluru City Corporation ended on February 28, and since then, the Congress has taken over.”

Kamath also criticised the administration’s inaction during recent monsoon-related flooding in the city. “In the past 10–20 days, Mangaluru has experienced flooding within MCC limits. We had requested that the drains be cleaned ahead of the monsoon back in March, but those requests were ignored. No preventive measures were taken. During BJP's tenure, Mangaluru never witnessed such flooding,” he added.

Protest spreads across district

The protest saw the active participation of BJP leaders, party workers and citizens across the district, from rural grama panchayats to urban municipal bodies. The BJP has vowed to intensify its campaign against the state government until it takes corrective measures and addresses public grievances.