B Y Vijayendra and others at the Hagalavadi Junjappana Hatti programme. Supplied photograph.
Tumakuru: Karnataka BJP president B Y Vijayendra has demanded a white paper on the state’s finances, alleging that spending on guarantee schemes has depleted the treasury, while seeking drought compensation of ₹50,000 per acre for distressed farmers.
Speaking to reporters at Hagalavadi Junjappana Hatti in Gubbi taluk, he criticised the Congress government’s handling of drought relief and questioned cases registered against BJP workers over Form-7 voter-roll objections.
Demand for clarity on state finances
Vijayendra alleged that the government was facing a shortage of funds even to pay salaries to personnel in the police and irrigation departments. He called on D K Shivakumar to publish a white paper setting out the state’s actual financial position.
He blamed the guarantee schemes for the financial strain and criticised the government’s response to issues affecting the poor and farmers.
₹50,000 per acre drought relief sought
Vijayendra accused the state government of waiting for central assistance despite severe drought. Referring to what he said was compensation of only ₹2,500 per hectare, he argued that the amount was too small and reiterated the BJP’s demand for ₹50,000 per acre.
He said people were accusing the government of paying more attention to real estate than to farmers. He also claimed that legislators from the ruling party were speaking of resigning over drought relief.
Form-7 FIRs questioned
Vijayendra said Form-7 allowed objections to suspicious entries in the electoral roll and argued that officials could reject applications that did not comply with the rules. He questioned the need to register FIRs against BJP workers for submitting such applications.
He alleged that protests had been held against the Election Commission over the issue and that BJP workers had been booked.
NICE and Bidadi projects criticised
Vijayendra accused Shivakumar of misusing authority, citing the government’s move to take over the NICE project and its efforts to pursue the Bidadi township project despite what he described as local opposition.
He also alleged that Shivakumar’s remarks about the number of mutts at a meeting of Veerashaiva-Lingayat seers had hurt their sentiments. People were watching these developments and would make their decision in the days ahead, he said.
Seva Sankalpa and party organisation
Vijayendra said the BJP was conducting its nationwide Seva Sankalpa campaign to mark Narendra Modi’s 25 years of public service. Seva Sankalpa and Booth Sankalpa programmes were being conducted together, and the event at Junjappana Hatti had begun with worship, he said.
He said the BJP would continue to raise issues concerning the poor and farmers and work with people towards a change of government.
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