The BJP has accused the Congress government in Karnataka of indulging in sectarian populism and crippling the State’s economy.
“The State government has failed to inclusively represent the cause of 6.2 crore people, but instead has indulged in sectarian populism,” said BJP president Amit Shah. The leader was here to take part in a day-long core committee meeting. “The mandate of the people is being squandered by the Siddaramaiah-led Congress government. It is a non-performing, corrupt, defunct government proving to be an abysmal failure in matters of governance, law and order,” he added.
Talking about Karnataka’s economy, Shah said: “By pursuing sectarian populism, the State’s economy has been crippled under the misrule of the Congress party. The State’s economy, which had a growth rate of 10 per cent during BJP’s rule, has now plummeted to around 5 per cent.”
He further said: “After the Congress came to power in the State, youth have become unemployed. The condition of farmers also is very poor and 77 per cent of agricultural households are in debt.”
To further its sectarian agenda, the State government hurriedly withdrew the Karnataka Prevention of Cow Slaughter and Protection Bill of 2010 and its amended 2012 version, which was awaiting the President’s assent, Shah said. “This was done amidst din on the last day of the Winter session at Belagavi,” he added.
The Karnataka Hindu Religious Institutions and Charitable Endowments (Amendment) Bill of 2014 was introduced in the Assembly during the session at Belagavi. The CM subsequently announced that the government intended to withdraw the Bill in the coming Budget session due to stiff opposition from the BJP and other parties, Shah said, taking exception to what he called the flip-flop attitude of the State government.
Membership drive Referring to his party’s membership drive in the State, Shah said: “There is a lot of enthusiasm in the people of Karnataka to joint the BJP and it is overwhelming.
“At present around 20,000 people are becoming BJP members each day. The party will achieve its target of one crore members in the State by March 2015.” Karnataka’s population is 6.2 crore.