BJP says farmers suffer as Congress is preoccupied in a power tussle

Leader of Opposition R. Ashok and BJP MP Govind Karjol launched a scathing attack on Congress leaders in the State accusing them of being preoccupied with a power struggle when farmers are facing severe distress.

Addressing a press conference here on Tuesday, Mr. Ashok said that for the past six months, the Congress has been embroiled in a fierce tussle for the Chief Minister’s post.

He said that the crisis has now escalated into “horse-trading” within the party, as leaders (Siddaramaiah and D.K. Shivakumar) are spending crores of rupees to secure support of the MLAs.

Mr. Ashok accused Mr. Shivakumar of exerting pressure on various individuals to show majority. “He is approaching leaders in prison and those hospitalized. After observing these developments, Siddaramaiah has become visibly subdued,” he quipped.

“When the State is reeling under an agrarian crisis and farmers are protesting over crop loss compensation, the Congress leaders are busy in a power tussle, horse-trading and fighting over the Chief Minister’s post leaving the administration paralysed,” Mr. Ashok reiterated and added that Mr. Siddaramaiah, who earlier asserted that he will complete a full five-year term, now appears uncertain.

Mr. Karjol said that AICC president Mallikarjun Kharge has become a nominal figurehead. “The party is no longer under the control of Mr. Kharge, as all major decisions in the Congress are taken only by Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi,” he said.

Replying to a question, Mr. Ashok clarified that the BJP has no intention of forming a government through the backdoor. “We will go to the people, face elections and seek a fresh mandate,” he added.