Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi (HB/MS)

Udupi, Nov 28: Replying to the challenge of BJP MP Shobha Karandlaje asking Congress to field a winning candidate, former minister Vinay Kumar Sorake said, "The mentality of BJP can be known by the statement of Shobha Karandlaje. They have bought Congress and JD(S) leaders and formed the government.

Sorake was speaking at the press conference that was held at Press Club in the city on Saturday November 28.

Sorake further said, "The government has totally failed in controlling the coronavirus pandemic. India is in the second spot globally with regards to the number of coronavirus infected people, while Karnataka is in the second spot in India. No action is taken to provide compensation to people who suffered during this pandemic.

"BJP is engrossed in forming corporations, extension of cabinet and change of chief minister (CM), in order to appease the leaders of the party. They have turned deaf ears to the difficulties faced by commoners. Congress had done several developmental works. Labour Act and Land Reform Act are amended by BJP and have caused inconvenience to labourers and farmers. Inflation is at an all-time high. Cooking gas subsidy is withdrawn.

"Expected development has not taken place. City and town municipalities are involved in deals of cement, trees and sand. The Rs five lac grant that was being given by former CM Siddaramaiah is being distributed now as Rs five lac each among themselves. 94C right letters that were made during the earlier government are still not distributed to the beneficiaries. People are agitated everywhere in the state.

"Before the formation of Kaup town municipality, the BJP leaders did not visit Kaup even once. However, when the election of president and vice president for Kaup town municipality took place, the BJP leaders came running just to cast their votes. Till now not a single development work has taken place in Kaup. BJP leaders believe in buying people from other parties. They are more interested in horse trading and Operation Kamala,” he said.

Replying to the statement that Congress ruled because of drug mafia, given by MP Nalin Kumar Katel in the BJP convention that was held on Friday in Udupi, Sorake said, "It is a year and a half after BJP attained power in the state. What development have they done? If there was drug deal during the regime of Siddaramaiah and later during the coalition government, why did BJP not make any noise about it? When the panchayat elections are nearing, BJP is trying to put all the blame on Congress. Why are they putting all the blame on the previous government?"