Hassan: Karnataka BJP President Vijayendra Yediyurappa on Wednesday claimed that the state now ranks first in the country for corruption, citing an alleged admission by Basavaraja Rayareddy, Financial Advisor to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah.
Addressing a press conference here, Vijayendra said, “It is not just the opposition saying this. The Chief Minister’s own advisor, Basavaraja Rayareddy, has reportedly stated that Karnataka is number one in the country when it comes to corruption. This is a shocking admission and speaks volumes about the state of governance.”
He accused the Congress-led government of pushing the people into distress through unchecked inflation and a series of price hikes. “The public is struggling to afford basic necessities. The prices of 50 essential commodities have been increased. People’s patience has been broken,” he said.
Recalling the BJP government’s tenure under BS Yediyurappa, Vijayendra said Karnataka then ranked second nationally in terms of development. “Today, that image has been reversed. The Congress regime has brought the state to the top in corruption rankings,” he alleged.
Vijayendra further announced that the party’s Jan Sankalpa Yatra will proceed to Madikeri and Mangaluru, with the aim of exposing what he termed as the misuse of Rs 38,500 crore allocated for the welfare of minorities, Scheduled Castes, and Scheduled Tribes. He also alleged that these funds were being diverted for appeasement and vote bank politics.
“This is not a solitary fight,” Vijayendra asserted. “Senior leaders and party elders are united in this movement. Our priority is to respond to the people’s grievances and hold the government accountable.”
