Karnataka BJP Chief Urges Congress Not to Cast Doubt on EC, Calls for Greater Focus on Drought Relief

Addressing a press conference at the BJP headquarters in Bengaluru on Tuesday, Vijayendra said political parties should accept electoral victories and defeats without questioning constitutional bodies. He said allegations against the Election Commission after an electoral setback could create doubts about the democratic process.

“Making statements that create distrust among the public against constitutional institutions such as the Election Commission is not right,” Vijayendra said, arguing that political parties, including the Congress, have won elections and formed governments in different states while the BJP has also faced electoral defeats.

The BJP state president also questioned Congress leaders over their criticism of the Election Commission and Chief Election Commissioner. He referred to the electoral defeats of the sons of Union Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy and former Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai, asking why similar concerns were not raised in those cases.

Vijayendra also criticised Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge's comments on the electoral system, saying political leaders should avoid statements that could damage public confidence in constitutional institutions.

Turning to the drought situation, Vijayendra accused the Congress government in Karnataka of failing to provide sufficient assistance to farmers facing crop losses. He said the BJP had demanded compensation of at least Rs 50,000 per acre, but alleged that the state government's announced assistance of Rs 2,500 per farmer was inadequate.

The Karnataka government has announced an initial input subsidy of Rs 2,500 for drought-affected farmers, with the first phase expected to cost around Rs 1,250 crore and benefit an estimated 45-50 lakh farmers while the state awaits assistance from the Centre.

Vijayendra also demanded that farmers receive at least five hours of three-phase electricity every day, saying the state should purchase power from other states if necessary. He called for greater support through loan relief and other measures to address the impact of the drought.

He further demanded that Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar publish a white paper on Karnataka's financial position, including the state's debt, expenditure on guarantee schemes and spending on other programmes. Vijayendra cited concerns over delays in payments to beneficiaries of social security schemes and alleged that financial constraints were affecting welfare and housing programmes.

The BJP leader also criticised the alleged use of government resources for political workers through guarantee implementation committees. He said public funds should be used for government programmes and services rather than political activities.

Vijayendra sought clarification from the state government over allegations surrounding a video conference purportedly involving Deputy Chief Minister G. Parameshwara. He also questioned whether beneficiaries of government schemes were being selected according to eligibility criteria or on the basis of lists allegedly submitted by Congress workers.

The BJP state president announced that the party would organise its 'Seva Sankalpa' programmes and said he would travel across districts as part of the initiative. The BJP has separately announced a month-long Seva Sankalp Abhiyan to mark Prime Minister Narendra Modi's 25 years in public life.

Vijayendra also said the BJP would strengthen its organisation from the booth level ahead of the upcoming local body elections. Responding to KPCC president B.K. Hariprasad's proposed padayatra from Shikaripura, he said he welcomed the move and challenged Hariprasad to compare development in Shikaripura with constituencies represented by senior Congress leaders.

The BJP leader said the state government should address farmers' immediate concerns before taking an all-party delegation to the Centre. He reiterated his demand for Rs 50,000 compensation per acre and a farm loan waiver, arguing that a special legislative session alone would not resolve the problems faced by farmers.

Vijayendra also criticised Hariprasad's remarks about driving the BJP and RSS out of Bengaluru and referred to past electoral setbacks faced by the Congress.

On contractors' demands for the release of pending bills, Vijayendra again called for a detailed account of Karnataka's finances. He asked the government to disclose the increase in state debt over the past three years and provide details of spending on guarantee schemes and other programmes.

The BJP state president said the government should place a comprehensive account of Karnataka's financial position before the public, while reiterating his demand that drought relief and assistance to farmers remain an immediate priority. The drought situation has also prompted the Karnataka government to seek additional central assistance, with central teams scheduled to assess conditions in the state from October 3.