Bengaluru, 23 Feb

BJP President BY Vijayendra on Monday accused the Congress of "engaging in the politics of hate" against the Banjara community after the arrest of party MLA Chandru Lamani by the Lokayukta police for "taking a bribe" from a contractor.

Vijayendra said the party would face the Lokayukta case involving its MLA legally.

Responding to questions about Chandru Lamani's arrest, Vijayendra said he had followed the developments through the media but alleged that the issue was being viewed in a larger political context.

Vijayendra claimed that since Siddaramaiah assumed office, the Banjara community had been targeted.

Referring to an incident in Surgundanakoppa during a programme attended by Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar, he alleged that Banjara youth who raised their demands were booked.

On the Chandru Lamani case, he said the matter was under investigation and before the court, and the party would not interfere.

Vijayendra questioned the Congress’s moral authority to speak on corruption, citing the alleged Valmiki Development Corporation scam. He said Congress leaders have no right to lecture the BJP on probity.

Vijayendra also appealed to the Chief Minister to allocate more funds to Backward Classes, Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes.

“At least in this budget, allocate a minimum of Rs 2,500 crore to 3,000 crore to Backward Classes, SCs and STs,” he said.

He also flagged pending compensation for shepherd families affected by the death of sheep and goats across the state, claiming that the relief of Rs 45 crore is yet to be released. 

BJP team meets Guv over internal quota for SCs

A BJP delegation on Monday met Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot over the Scheduled Caste internal reservation issue and sought his intervention.

In a memorandum submitted to the Governor, the party accused the state government of failing to implement the Supreme Court’s 1 August 2024 verdict on internal reservation even after 18 months, while other states had acted within six months.

"Eighteen months have passed after the SC gave its verdict on the SC internal reservation issue," the delegation said in its letter, adding that Telangana and Andhra Pradesh, as well as Haryana, have already implemented the judgment.

The BJP contended that the constitution of the Justice Nagamohan Das Commission was unnecessary as the government already has data from the Justice Sadashiva Commission and the Madhuswamy Committee.

It is alleged that the Congress government adopted "delay tactics" by setting up a new panel, which functioned for six months for Rs 110 crore.