Cong. leaders take on Yediyurappa and sons, criticise EC for ‘deleting names’

Congress leaders, including party president B.K. Hariprasad and ministers, harshly criticized the BJP during a public meeting in Shikaripur on Wednesday, marking the launch of the Bharat Jodo 2.0 yatra. They accused the BJP of promoting communal hatred and deleting eligible voters through the Election Commission. Hariprasad highlighted that the people of Shikaripur had responded appropriately to the BJP's dominance in the district, previously ruled by BJP state president B.Y. Vijayendra's son, B.Y. Vijayendra.

Recalling the district's historical contributions to politics and literature, Hariprasad accused leaders from Shikaripur of damaging the state's dignity through the "Operation Lotus." He also took issue with Vijayendra's comments on corruption, stating that individuals who sent their father to jail in exchange for bribes were now condemning corruption. Hariprasad alleged that BJP leaders in the district were involved in property acquisitions and college constructions.

Urban Development Minister Yathindra Siddaramaiah claimed that the BJP was removing eligible voters through the Socio-Economic Caste Census (SECC), known as the SIR. So far, 13.3 crore names had been deleted nationwide, including over 1 crore from the state. Among the deleted names were minorities, Dalits, and women, who were victims of the BJP's actions, Hariprasad argued.

Minister for School Education Madhu Bangarappa accused BJP leaders from Shikaripur of a history of corruption and lack of moral authority to criticize the state government. He also alleged that BJP leaders were attempting to rule by dividing people. Bangarappa expressed concern that the "bagair-hukum" cultivator had not received land due to the absence of committee meetings. Minister for Sugar and Textiles Rudrappa Lamani, among others, attended the meeting.