‘Only publicity, no focus on development’: Yediyurappa slams Congress govt in Karnataka

BENGALURU: Senior BJP leader and former Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa accused the Congress-led Karnataka government of being mired in rampant corruption and having stalled nearly all developmental works.

Speaking at the BJP state headquarters, he told reporters that the current situation in the state is dire and that there is no one to listen to the public’s grievances. “The government is only focused on publicity and has completely neglected development”, Yediyurappa, a member of the BJP Central Parliamentary Board, alleged.

He pointed out that irrigation projects have reached a complete standstill and challenged the government to show even one kilometre of road work completed anywhere in the state. He accused the government of operating like a “Tughlaq Darbar.”

“We are not against minorities,” Yediyurappa clarified, “but excessively favouring minorities while ignoring Scheduled Castes and Tribes is an unforgivable offence. This government is indulging in appeasement politics solely for vote-bank gains. We strongly condemn this approach,” he stated.

He urged the government to wake up and focus on development. “It should ensure justice for people of all communities,” he insisted.

When asked about his reaction to the viral audio clip of Congress MLA BR Patil, in which he claimed people had to pay bribes to get government-allocated houses, Yediyurappa responded, “What BR Patil said is 100 per cent true. No work gets done without money. Even poor people who need houses are forced to pay bribes. The government must acknowledge and correct this fault to deliver justice to the underprivileged.”

Responding to a question about Union Minister and JDS leader HD Kumaraswamy’s statement that seemed to suggest political unity, Yediyurappa said, “BJP and JDS are not separate. We will move forward together. On several occasions, HD Deve Gowda has expressed his trust and confidence in Prime Minister Narendra Modi.”

He added, “In the coming days, the BJP and the JDS will work together to bring down this government and form our own. We will make every necessary effort in that direction.”

Regarding internal dissatisfaction within the party, he welcomed Union Minister Pralhad Joshi’s efforts to engage with dissatisfied members and resolve issues. “I, too, am ready to speak with anyone who is unhappy,” Yediyurappa said. He announced that he planned to visit the party office daily and stay until the afternoon and would visit one or two districts every week. (ANI)