The star campaigner of BJP in Karnataka elections, CM Yogi Adityanath, has begun his campaign in the state. Ever since CM Yogi came to power in Uttar Pradesh, he has been a star campaigner for the party. Whether it was in Gujarat or in Tripura, he played an important role in the BJP’s victories. In the Karnataka elections, BJP’s star campaigners include CM of Maharashtra, Devendra Fadnavis and CM of Madhya Pradesh, Shivraj Singh Chauhan. But, it seems, the opposition parties are only rattled by CM Yogi’s presence in Karnataka. Opposition parties are afraid that CM Yogi’s presence in the state would result in consolidation of Hindu votes. Ironically, same opposition parties remained silent on Ghulam Nabi Azad’s communal appeal to Muslims of Karnataka to vote en masse in favor of the candidates of Congress party.
CM Yogi has launched a blistering attack on the state government from his very first rally. From farmer suicides to law and order to the nauseating appeasement policies, CM Yogi has completely exposed Siddaramaiah. CM Yogi Adityanath lambasted Siddaramaiah for blatant Muslim appeasement policies. Siddaramaiah organized Tipu jayanti, birthday celebrations of a Hindu- Hating tyrant, on a grand scale. The move led to state wide protests from the majority community and was criticized across the nation. Siddaramaiah also resorted to blatant caste politics in Karnataka and worked to divide Hindu community by granting separate religion status to Lingayats. CM Yogi also attacked Siddaramaiah on law and order situation of Karnataka. Karnataka has witnessed gruesome political killings of Hindu activists and government has completely failed to bring the culprits to justice. Even the IAS officers are not safe in Karnataka. An honest IAS officer DK Ravi who launched a crackdown against encroachment of government lands, illegal sand mining and tax raids on major tax evading real estate firms, was found dead at his residence in Bengaluru under mysterious circumstances. The way state government has handled the case, was subject to much controversy. Anupama Shenoy, an honest IPS, was transferred many times and harassed for taking on big criminals and mafias of the state. Tired of the constant harassment, she finally had to resign. Harassed by a minister, DSP SY Ganapathi shot himself. He named Minister KJ Gorge in his suicide video but state ministers shamelessly defended KJ George and also questioned the character of his wife.
The complete disregard for law and order shown by the Congress led to culprits roaming free and innocents being behind the bars. Siddaramaiah government even asked the state police to drop riot cases against members of minority community. This blatant and insidious appeasement led to huge protests by BJP and many other Hindu organizations. CM Yogi also attacked this appeasement, stating that, “The Karnataka government is sheltering Jihadis, but UP has managed to curb them.”
CM Yogi also criticized Siddaramaiah on the poor condition of farmers in the state. In 2014-15, 101 farmers committed suicide. In 2016-17, 103 farmers committed suicide. Overall, in the state, 2000 farmers have committed suicide in last three years.
Sad state of infrastructures of Karnataka, especially Bengaluru city, is not hidden from anyone. He has converted Garden City into Garbage city. Lakes of Bengaluru are now in news not for their beauty and fresh water but for their pollution. Siddaramiah government in Karnataka is a huge failure on development front. Additionally, he skipped many crucial meetings with the PM. His arrogant behavior and giving priority to party over state has caused a lot of damage to the state. Siddaramaih’s rule in Karnataka has been a complete disaster for the state.
Siddaramaiah’s nightmare, featuring CM Yogi, is just beginning. CM Yogi is scheduled to address 34 rallies in the state. Such strong attacks launched by CM Yogi on Siddaramaiah will surely affect the electoral outcomes of the state.