Congress govt. has neglected coastal Karnataka, charges Vijayendra

Mangalore Today News Network

Udupi, April 11, 2025: Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Karnataka State president B.Y. Vijayendra on Thursday, April 10, alleged the Congress government has completely neglected coastal Karnataka without undertaking any development works in the last two years.

Addressing party cadres at the Janakrosha Yatre organised by the BJP in Udupi, Mr. Vijayendra noted that B.S. Yediyurappa as the Chief Minister had released ₹19,500 crore for development works in Udupi district alone whereas the Siddaramaiah government did not release any amount. He wondered whether Mr. Siddaramaiah knew where was Udupi in Karnataka.

Quoting Kapu MLA Gurme Suresh Shetty, Mr. Vijayendra said the government released no funds for the renovation works of Hosa Marigudi in Kapu that recently celebrated its Brahma Kalasha despite requesting him five times. It was unclear whether Mr. Siddaramaiah was the Chief Minister of Bengaluru or Karnataka as he hardly tours the State, the BJP president said. Karnataka was number two in development after Gujarat when BJP ruled the State, he added.

Mr. Vijayendra said Mr. Siddaramaiah came to power in the name of Ahinda while charging the government of doing injustice to Dalits and OBCs and indulging in appeasing the Muslims. By frequently increasing prices of almost all commodities and services, the Siddaramaiah government has proved that it was anti-poor. When the BJP opposed 4% reservation in government contracts to Muslims in the Assembly, the Speaker suspended 18 of them for six months in complete disregard to the Constitution.

He said the BJP was bound to bounce back to power in the next Assembly elections when the time will come to respond to Congress leaders who have unleashed atrocity against BJP workers.

Karkala MLA V. Sunil Kumar said the Congress has insulted All India Congress Committee president M. Mallikarjuna Kharge, a Dalit, during its session in Ahmedabad. The Congress had just appeased the Dalits without improving their life, he alleged.

Mr. Kharge, who was made to sit on a wooden chair instead of sofa, should have come out of the session if he had any self respect, Mr. Kumar said. The former Minister said the government has diverted funds meant for the welfare of the Dalits.  

Udupi-Chikkamagaluru MP Kota Srinivas Poojary, Dakshina Kannada MP Capt. Brijesh Chowta, Leader of the Opposition in the Legislative Council Chalavadi Narayanaswamy, MLAs from the district, district BJP president Kishore Kumar Kundapura and others were present.