Karnataka bypolls: Congress, BJP trade charges to sway voters

With just three days left for the byelections in two Assembly constituencies – Davanagere South and Bagalkot – both the Congress and the BJP have intensified their campaigns, trading sharp allegations over attempts to influence voters.

While the Congress accused the Central government of denying the State its due share in taxes, withholding funds, and delaying clearances for key irrigation projects, the BJP alleged that the Siddaramaiah government was resorting to cash distribution, liquor, and emotional appeals to garner votes.

Launching a strong attack on the BJP, Randeep Singh Surjewala, AICC general secretary in charge of Karnataka, urged voters to reject the saffron party, accusing it of opposing the Congress government’s guarantee schemes.

Addressing reporters at the KPCC office on Sunday, Mr. Surjewala alleged that the Modi government has been “punishing” Karnataka by denying its rightful share in taxes and grants amounting to ₹1.97 lakh crore over the years, thereby hampering development across sectors.

He further said that the Centre had stalled the Upper Bhadra project by withholding ₹5,300 crore announced in the 2023 Budget. He added that the Andhra Pradesh government has now challenged the project in the Supreme Court, questioning the silence of BJP leaders in the State on the issue.

The Congress leader also alleged delays in drinking water projects such as Kalasa-Banduri and Yettinahole. He noted that the state has already spent over ₹24,000 crore on the Yettinahole project, with nearly 50% of the work completed.

However, a CAG report had flagged financial irregularities in the project, including undue favours to contractors, non-recovery of excess material costs, duplicate payments under turnkey contracts, and irregular advance payments.

The Congress leader further accused the Centre and the BJP of “maliciously” refusing to notify the 2013 award of the Krishna Water Tribunal-II in the official gazette, under which Karnataka was allocated 173 tmcft of water.

Meanwhile, BJP leaders, including former Chief Minister B.S. Yediyurappa and Leader of Opposition in the Assembly R. Ashok, alleged that the Congress government had squandered financial resources through corruption and its guarantee schemes, placing a heavy burden on the State exchequer.

They also claimed that the Siddaramaiah government had increased prices of essential services such as milk, water, electricity, and property registration fees to mobilise funds for its guarantees.

According to BJP leaders, development works have slowed, and the government has been unable to clear pending dues to contractors owing to a growing revenue deficit.