Siddaramaiah Rebuts Yediyurappa's Allegations in Heated Karnataka Campaign
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has launched a sharp counterattack against BJP leader BS Yediyurappa, dismissing allegations of betrayal and caste-based campaigning as baseless. The political skirmish unfolded during Siddaramaiah's campaign trail in Davanagere, where he supported Congress candidate Samarth Shamanur.
Corruption Claims and Caste Politics
Addressing media queries, Siddaramaiah challenged Yediyurappa to provide concrete evidence for his accusation of betrayal. "Yediyurappa should specify whom did he betray and speak with evidence," the CM asserted, turning the focus onto BJP's internal dynamics. He highlighted that BJP figures like Basanagouda Patil Yatnal and H Vishwanath have publicly discussed Yediyurappa's involvement in corruption scandals, adding fuel to the political fire.
When confronted with Yediyurappa's claim that Siddaramaiah campaigned in Bagalkot due to caste affiliations, the CM pointed to his Davanagere South rally for Samarth Shamanur. "What caste is he from? We do not campaign based on caste. We campaign for the party's candidate," Siddaramaiah declared, emphasizing Congress's commitment to party loyalty over identity politics. He further questioned Yediyurappa's own campaigning motives in Bagalkot, putting the BJP veteran on the defensive.
Confident Predictions and Fiscal Warnings
Expressing optimism about the upcoming elections, Siddaramaiah predicted a Congress victory in both constituencies, citing overwhelming public support. Meanwhile, Union Minister HD Kumaraswamy campaigned for BJP candidate Veeranna Charantimath, issuing a stern warning about the financial implications of Congress's guarantees. "Congress' guarantees and their freebies will weigh heavily on the state exchequer in coming years," Kumaraswamy cautioned, noting that Karnataka's debt has ballooned to over Rs 8.1 lakh crore under Siddaramaiah's administration.
Kumaraswamy also accused the CM of leveraging Ahinda (a coalition of minorities, backward classes, and Dalits) to cling to power, framing the election as a battle between fiscal responsibility and populist policies.
Police Transfers Amid Campaign Controversy
In a related development, two police inspectors were transferred following an incident involving NSUI workers distributing pamphlets against BJP candidate Veeranna Charantimath. The officers, Vijay Muragundi and Ashok Chavan, have been reassigned to Vijayapura Women's police station and the Northern Range IGP's office in Belagavi, respectively. This move underscores the heightened tensions and security concerns during the heated campaign period.
The political landscape in Karnataka remains volatile, with accusations of corruption, casteism, and fiscal mismanagement dominating discourse as parties vie for electoral advantage.
