Bengaluru, April 1: Former Chief Minister B.S. Yediyurappa, a member of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Central Parliamentary Committee, campaigned in Davanagere for the upcoming South Davanagere Assembly by-election on Tuesday.
Addressing a gathering of party workers, he launched a strong attack on the state government led by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah. Yediyurappa accused the Chief Minister of “deceit and betrayal,” claiming that the current government is engaged in “daylight robbery.”
He asserted that the people of Bagalkot and Davanagere are united in their decision to oust Siddaramaiah from power in the upcoming elections. Criticizing the use of money in elections, he emphasized that those spending millions should be taught a lesson.
Yediyurappa urged party workers to fully support BJP candidate Srinivas Daskarayappa and work towards ensuring his victory. He also raised allegations of corruption, stating that funds have been diverted to Telangana while large sums of money are being distributed to influence voters in Bagalkot and Davanagere.
He accused the Congress government of discontinuing several welfare schemes initiated during the BJP’s tenure aimed at helping the poor. Reflecting on his age and dedication, Yediyurappa mentioned that at 85, he is still campaigning, although he cannot be everywhere.
He called on party workers to take charge of the campaign and act as if they are candidates themselves starting the next day. “If you do this, I will remember you until my last breath,” he stated.
Yediyurappa noted that the public is frustrated with the misgovernance of the Congress government and appealed to voters to respond by electing the BJP candidate in the by-elections.
Meanwhile, former Chief Minister and BJP MP Basavaraj Bommai accused Siddaramaiah of initiating a “tax terror” in the state after his return to power. In a media interaction, he criticized the government’s first budget for significant increases in the prices of alcohol, milk, and electricity.
He claimed that taxes have been raised across nearly all sectors, including stamp duty, land prices, and motor vehicle tax. “In the last three years, this government has imposed new taxes amounting to ₹60,000 crores on the people,” he alleged.
Bommai also claimed that the government has taken on nearly ₹5 lakh crores in new debt, leading to Siddaramaiah being labeled as a “record borrower.” He stated, “We have never seen such a corrupt government before.”
He alleged that in Bengaluru, registration cannot occur without bribery and that there is corruption in the distribution of government rice. He pointed to corruption in the procurement of medicines for hospitals, in the offices of tehsildars, and even in ministerial offices.
He asserted that corruption begins at the Chief Minister’s office, claiming that transfers have become a major industry and that the administration is in complete disarray. Bommai concluded that the government is burdening the people through corruption and expressed confidence that the public will bless the BJP.
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