Vijayendra dares Karnataka CM to dissolve Assembly, face fresh polls

BJP state president B.Y. Vijayendra on Wednesday challenged Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar to dissolve the Karnataka Legislative Assembly and face fresh elections if the Congress government could not ensure justice for Dalits and backward classes. Speaking to reporters on the second day of the party's 'Ballari Chalo' padayatra, which began from Sante Kallur near Maski in Raichur district, he asserted that "the people will decide" on the government's performance.

Vijayendra accused the Congress of continuing to neglect Dalits, backward classes, and other communities since assuming power. He reiterated the BJP's allegations of irregularities in the Valmiki corporation and claimed the government had failed to implement reservation policies properly and provide adequate employment opportunities for the youth.

The BJP leader said the party had taken its campaign to the streets because the government had not addressed farmers' problems. He also predicted that two or three more ministers could lose their positions, alleging that corruption would eventually catch up with them.

Taking aim at the Chief Minister and Deputy Chief Minister for beginning drought inspections, Vijayendra said the BJP had already conducted its own assessment of the drought situation. He alleged that the state's top leaders had started visiting drought-hit areas only after being compelled by the BJP's agitation.

He questioned the government's decision to declare only 101 taluks as drought-hit, claiming several others were facing severe conditions. He further alleged that farmers were being forced to pay bribes to get their taluks included in the drought-hit list.

Referring to North Karnataka, Vijayendra said water scarcity had intensified, with farmers in some areas drilling borewells to nearly 1,000 feet without finding water. He also highlighted the shortage of fodder for cattle and the lack of doctors in hospitals.

He accused the government of being more concerned about Bengaluru than North Karnataka and warned that if the government failed to change its approach, people would drive it out of power.