Bengaluru, Mar 6 (UNI) The BJP on Thursday staged a largescale protest at Freedom Park here, alleging that the Congress government in Karnataka had misused funds allocated under the Special Component Plan (SCP) and Tribal Sub-Plan (TSP) meant for the welfare of Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Scheduled Tribes (STs).
Leading the protest, BJP State President Vijayendra Yediyurappa launched a scathing attack on Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, accusing his government of being "corrupt and wicked." He alleged that the Congress administration had diverted SC/ST welfare funds to fulfil its poll guarantees, betraying the trust of the Dalit community. He further asserted that BJP governments had never misused SC/ST development funds and reiterated the party’s commitment to Dalit welfare.
Leader of the Opposition in Karnataka Assembly, R Ashoka, also lambasted the Congress government, accusing Siddaramaiah of financial mismanagement. He claimed that the state was on the verge of bankruptcy due to excessive borrowing and misallocation of funds, dubbing the Chief Minister "Siddanna, Loot Guarantee Anna."
Chalavadi Narayanaswamy, Leader of the Opposition in the Legislative Council, reaffirmed the BJP’s commitment to Dalit welfare and urged party workers to mobilise public support against the Congress government’s alleged fund mismanagement.
As part of its strategy, the BJP has formed 14 teams to spearhead a statewide movement highlighting the alleged irregularities. Vijayendra also announced that a larger protest would be staged at Freedom Park on Friday, calling on the public to participate in greater numbers.
The protest also saw the presence of several senior BJP leaders, including former Deputy Chief Minister Ashwath Narayan, MLAs SR Vishwanath, Byrathi Basavaraj, and others.
The party leadership emphasised the importance of securing victory in the upcoming BBMP, District Panchayat, and Taluk Panchayat elections as part of its broader strategy to counter the Congress in Karnataka.
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