Launching a broadside against the BJP government in the state, Congress supremo Sonia Gandhi said that in the last five years, the BJP government had acquired a dubious reputation following the unparalleled ‘loot and corruption’.
Addressing a public meeting here on Thursday, Sonia said only the Congress can give a transparent government which could accommodate the aspirations of all sections of society.
“The reputation of the five-year-old BJP government in the state is that of large-scale illegal mining and land-grabbing, leading to a complete collapse of the state administration,” she said. She said that the time has come to restore the pride of place Karnataka and the IT city of Bangalore had.
Stating that the Congress draws strength and support from all sections of society, Sonia said, “We include all and exclude none.”
According to her, the BJP had not properly utilised the central funds released for the uplift of the poor and downtrodden. She urged the people of Karnataka to ask the the BJP leaders where over `8,8000 crore released from the Centre for various schemes in the last five years had gone. Appealing to the voters, she said, “Your will is supreme and you must exercise your will without any fear or favour. Cast your vote for a change and build a new future. Together, we shall work hard to bring back the lost glory of Karnataka and Bangalore,” she said.
‘BJP encouraged casteism’
In Gulbaraga, Sonia attacked the BJP and asked how the party, which is steeped in corruption, can make allegation against the Congress.
Sonia alleged that the BJP had practiced divide-and-rule policy and encouraged casteism by releasing money to mutts of various castes and communities.