BJP Confident of Victory in Karnataka MLC Elections Amid Public Discontent with Congress

Hubli, October 16 (Daily Kiran) : Central Minister Prahlad Joshi expressed optimism on Friday that NDA candidates will secure victories in all four seats of the Karnataka Legislative Council, including the Karnataka West Graduates constituency. He attributed this confidence to the growing public discontent with the Congress-led state government.

Speaking to reporters after campaigning for BJP candidate Sankanoor in Hubli-Dharwad, Joshi criticized the state government for its handling of issues such as power shortages, drought management, rising prices, and controversies surrounding sting operations.

He highlighted that Karnataka, once a significant power producer, is now facing electricity shortages affecting farmers and rural communities. Joshi accused the Congress government of failing to ensure a reliable power supply through proper procurement and management.

The minister also condemned the government’s drought relief measures, claiming it has not adequately compensated farmers affected by drought. He noted that the previous BJP administration provided substantial compensation during heavy rains—8,000 rupees per hectare for rain-affected land, 13,000 for dry land farming, and 25,000 for irrigated land. In contrast, the current government has announced only 2,500 rupees per affected family, which he deemed insufficient.

Regarding the politically charged sting operation controversy in Karnataka, Joshi called for a thorough investigation to uncover the truth and identify those responsible. He insisted that the inquiry should reveal who engaged in wrongdoing during the sting operation. He recommended that the state government either form a Special Investigation Team (SIT) or conduct the investigation under judicial supervision, emphasizing that action must be taken against anyone found guilty, regardless of their political affiliations.

Joshi noted that the ongoing debate surrounding the sting operation has shifted focus from investigating the allegations to questioning who recorded the sting. He acknowledged his differences with former Chief Minister Siddaramaiah but stressed the necessity of a fair investigation to ascertain the facts.

Responding to comments made by the Home Minister regarding the health of JD(S) leader H.D. Kumaraswamy, Joshi urged political rivals to set aside differences when discussing personal health matters. He emphasized the need for basic courtesy and sensitivity in such discussions.

The minister also accused the Congress government of burdening citizens with rising costs. He claimed that during Congress’s tenure, prices for milk, diesel, transport services, and various certificates have increased significantly. He argued that the financial assistance the government claims to provide is offset by these price hikes.

Joshi expressed concern over the maintenance of state transport buses and the shortage of spare parts, urging the government to prioritize public transportation services.

Critiquing the national political strategy of the Congress Party, Joshi pointed out that regional parties have contributed to Congress’s declining influence in several states, including Maharashtra, West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh, and Bihar. He stated that Congress’s base in these states has weakened, prompting it to form alliances with regional parties.

He asserted that everyone should respect constitutional institutions in a democracy and claimed that under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership, the BJP is prioritizing national interests while strengthening its organizational base across the country.

Addressing issues faced by sugarcane farmers, Joshi mentioned the formation of a committee led by Professor Ramesh Chand to investigate matters related to cane prices, weight discrepancies, recovery rates, and other relevant issues. He urged farmers to cooperate during the committee’s investigation.

Joshi noted that the central government’s ethanol-blending policy has improved payment arrangements for sugarcane farmers. He added that there has been a significant increase in ethanol procurement nationwide, benefiting both farmers and the sugar industry.

He called on the Karnataka government to take steps to protect the interests of sugarcane farmers, including setting a ‘State Advised Price’ (SAP) for cane and addressing other farmer demands. He expressed hope that the committee would reach a positive decision soon.

Confident in the BJP’s electoral prospects, Joshi asserted that the party’s candidate from the Karnataka West Graduates constituency, Sankanoor, will achieve an easy victory. He claimed that the BJP is receiving substantial support from graduates and other voters, suggesting that the upcoming Legislative Council elections will indicate the political direction for future elections.