Bengaluru, 3 August

The State BJP unit tore into the Congress’ new Cabinet, noting that MLAs who resigned after scams had been given positions, questioning the lack of women representation and alleging that the ruling party had tainted the Constitutional posts of Speaker and Deputy Speaker. 

State BJP President VY Vijayendra alleged that regional representation was not at the forefront of AICC President Mallikarjun Kharge’s agenda, noting that three people from Kalaburagi secured Cabinet berths, but there was no one from Yadgir, Raichur or Vijayangar. 

Further, he alleged that the Congress, which opposed the Modi-government’s women’s reservation bill that was clubbed with the delimitation bill, didn’t provide a berth to women legislators. 

Meanwhile, LoP in the Assembly R Ashoka alleged that B Nagendra, “who stole Rs 187 crore of Scheduled Tribes' money from the Valmiki Development Corporation has been welcomed back with red carpet”. Nagendra had resigned in 2024 after the Valmiki board scam. 

MLC and senior BJP Leader CT Ravi, meanwhile, alleged that the Congress had made the Speaker and Deputy Speaker posts in both the Assembly and Council “partisan” by issuing the notification on its letter head. 

Further, BJP leader Basavaraj Horatti, who was the Council Chairman but is reportedly being ousted, alleged that “from 1956 till today, no one has been served a notice for removal as Chairman”, alleging that the Congress had taken unprecedent measures. 

He added that he would abide by whatever decision is taken by the House, adding that “nothing is confirmed”.

Meanwhile, expelled-BJP MLA Basangouda Patil Yatnal alleged that the elevation of MLA HC Balakrishna to a Minister shows that the government is caving to pressure from the “real-estate lobby”.

“As the elected representative of Bidadi, he should have opposed the Greater Bengaluru Integrated Township project, which threatens to turn self-reliant farmers into labourers on their own land,” he stated.