‘25 Congress MLAs ready to join BJP’: BY Vijayendra triggers row in Karnataka

Bengaluru: Karnataka Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) President B.Y. Vijayendra claimed on Monday that the political climate has shifted decisively in his party's favour, asserting that 25 ruling party legislators, including cabinet ministers serving under Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar, would defect to the saffron party if assembly polls were held immediately.

Vijayendra made the remarks while responding to media inquiries regarding whether the opposition BJP was actively attempting to poach ministers from the incumbent administration.

"We have no such necessity, but I would say one thing clearly as the party's state president: even if elections are announced tomorrow, 25 legislators, including ministers in D K Shivakumar's Cabinet, would join the BJP. Such an atmosphere has already been created," Vijayendra told reporters.

The state BJP chief condemned the Congress-led INDIA bloc for seeking an audience with Chief Justice of India Surya Kant concerning the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, contending that since the matter is already sub judice before the Supreme Court, such approaches are entirely improper.

He accused the Congress of trying to engineer nationwide civil unrest driven by political desperation, noting that opposition leaders had previously referenced potential youth-led uprisings similar to recent events in Bangladesh and Sri Lanka.

Vijayendra alleged that the Congress is orchestrating a conspiracy to spread lawlessness, asserting that the Indian electorate will firmly reject such tactics.

"If the Congress has any credibility and strength, it should win the confidence of voters and come to power through democratic means in the country and the state," he stated, adding that disseminating confusion and recycling falsehoods will yield no political gains.

Reflecting on the preceding general election, Vijayendra argued that although voters allotted the opposition a specific tally of seats, future electoral outcomes will shift, claiming the Congress will secure fewer parliamentary seats under Rahul Gandhi’s leadership.

Addressing recent allegations surrounding a reported sting operation, Vijayendra remarked that state politics has descended to unprecedented depths, warning that ongoing controversies are destroying public esteem for elected officials.

He noted that reports indicate certain Congress figures have resorted to questionable methods in pursuit of political office.

"Everything will come out in the coming days. This is political immorality. Those who have indulged in such wrongful activities will face the consequences," he added.

Highlighting severe drought conditions across Karnataka, Vijayendra criticised the state administration for failing to deliver substantive financial assistance to farmers, dismissing the government's relief package of Rs 2,500 as inadequate.

He contrasted the current response with the tenure of the former BJP government under B.S. Yediyurappa, which provided Rs 5 lakh for destroyed homes alongside Rs 10,000 for household necessities.

Vijayendra alleged that the state government is manufacturing controversies around sting operations specifically to deflect scrutiny from its administrative failures and inability to manage agrarian relief.

He further asserted that Karnataka's fiscal health is verging on insolvency, accusing D.K. Shivakumar and his cabinet of lacking the transparency to admit financial distress while routinely shifting blame onto the central government.

Vijayendra claimed that public transport buses remain idle in depots because the administration has failed to clear outstanding fuel payments owed to oil companies.

Additionally, he accused the government of prioritising ring-road construction projects across taluks despite the state's financial crisis, alleging that the schemes are designed primarily to advance real estate speculation.

PTI