Cash Distribution Allegations Dominate Karnataka Bypoll Campaign
Allegations of cash distribution in rural areas have taken center stage in the political narrative ahead of the crucial April 9 bypolls in Karnataka. The opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Friday leveled serious accusations against the ruling Congress government, claiming it was circulating money to influence voters—a charge that the governing party has vehemently denied.
BJP's Allegations and Congress's Response
At the BJP's Jagannath Bhavan office in Bengaluru, opposition leader in the legislative council, Chalavadi Narayanaswamy, presented ground-level reports indicating that substantial cash amounts ranging from Rs 5 lakh to Rs 10 lakh were being distributed in villages. This alleged distribution was reportedly timed ahead of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah's scheduled visits to these areas.
Narayanaswamy further claimed that sections of the Muslim community were shifting their support toward the BJP. This shift, he asserted, was a direct consequence of the Congress party denying a ticket to a candidate from the Muslim community in the bypolls.
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah swiftly denied all allegations, countering that if there was any misuse of money or power, it was being perpetrated by the BJP itself. He dismissed the claims as baseless and politically motivated.
Heated Exchanges in Bagalkot and Davanagere
In Bagalkot, Union Minister of State for Railways and Jal Shakti, V Somanna, who was campaigning for BJP candidate Veeranna Charantimath, made bold predictions. He claimed that the Congress candidate would face defeat and that Siddaramaiah would remain in office for only one and a half more months.
Hitting back during his campaign in Davanagere South for Congress candidate Samarth Shamanur, Siddaramaiah retorted, "Somanna is not the Congress high command to talk about the position of chief minister. BJP is unmatched in lying."
The chief minister also reacted to BJP state president BY Vijayendra's remark that the bypoll results would impact his position. Siddaramaiah stated confidently, "Our party will win in both places, so how can it affect us? BJP is not our high command. But Rahul Gandhi, Sonia Gandhi, Mallikarjun Kharge and Priyanka Gandhi are... They are speaking whatever comes to mind out of fear of losing in Bagalkot."
He further criticized the BJP for bringing back Basanagouda Patil Yatnal, who had been expelled from the party, for campaigning purposes. "This shows BJP is in a pathetic state in Karnataka," Siddaramaiah added.
Allegations of Misappropriation and Minority Allocations
On the campaign trail in Davanagere, opposition leader in the legislative assembly, R Ashoka, launched a fresh attack against Siddaramaiah. He accused the chief minister of misappropriating rice supplied by the Central government under the Anna Bhagya scheme and presenting it as a state initiative.
"The Indira food kit promised during the last elections, including 5kg dal, oil and other essentials, has still not reached people," Ashoka claimed. He added, "The state govt cannot mislead people by putting its own label on rice supplied by the Centre and calling it its own scheme... The situation is such that he deserves the title ‘Sullu (falsehood) Ramaiah'."
Responding to allegations of higher allocations to minorities, Siddaramaiah defended his government's actions. "Aren't they people of this state? Their population is 14%, and grants have been provided as given to other communities," he stated, emphasizing equitable distribution of resources.
The political atmosphere in Karnataka remains charged as both parties exchange sharp accusations, with the bypoll outcomes potentially influencing the state's political landscape in the coming months.
