Daijiworld Media Network - Belagavi
Belagavi, Apr 16: A day after the Enforcement Directorate (ED) filed a chargesheet naming senior Congress leaders Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi in connection with the National Herald case, political temperatures soared in Karnataka, with the BJP and Congress engaging in a fierce war of words.
Karnataka BJP president and MLA B Y Vijayendra on Wednesday said that Sonia and Rahul Gandhi must now face the consequences of their actions, asserting that “no one is above the law.”
Speaking to the media in Belagavi, Vijayendra stated, “The ED is conducting a thorough investigation, and Sonia Gandhi is the first accused while Rahul Gandhi is the second. They must face the consequences. This is not about politics this is about accountability.”
Vijayendra further targeted the Congress-led state government, claiming that the party has been shaken by the success of the BJP’s Janakrosh Yatra, which he said has been exposing the “anti-people policies” of the Siddaramaiah administration.
“The public is angry due to rising prices and the mounting cost of living. The Congress government is being unmasked before the people. It’s no surprise that they’re rattled,” he said.
Taking aim at the Chief Minister, Vijayendra said the so-called guarantees touted by the Congress are proving to be hollow. “The belief that guarantees have made the state prosperous is nothing more than a delusion. When our MLAs request funds for development, Siddaramaiah says, ‘We’ve already given guarantees.’ That’s his only answer,” he remarked.
Citing rising fuel and milk prices, Vijayendra questioned the pro-poor narrative of the state government. “Since Siddaramaiah took charge, diesel prices have gone up by Rs 5.50, petrol by Rs 3, and milk by Rs 9. How does this benefit the common man?” he asked.
He went on to claim that no other state government has lost public support as rapidly as the Congress administration in Karnataka. “In just 20 months, this government has managed to lose the goodwill of the people,” he alleged.
In a sharp counterattack, Karnataka Minister Priyank Kharge lashed out at the BJP and raised serious questions about the party’s finances. “How is the RSS managing to build 600 district headquarters across the country? Let an audit be done. Will they allow it?” Kharge asked.
He accused the BJP of using the Gandhis as a political diversion during times of internal crisis. “Whenever they are in trouble, they bring up Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi, and Robert Vadra to create a smokescreen. But we are not afraid. These threats won't work on us,” Kharge asserted.
As the chargesheet in the National Herald case reignites political tensions, both BJP and Congress appear to be preparing for an intense battle ahead of the upcoming electoral season.