Bengaluru: The Congress government has come under fire for allegedly using public money to host its party convention in Belgaum. Opposition leader R. Ashok announced plans for a protest in front of the Vidhan Soudha on Friday in response to this perceived misuse of taxpayer funds.
Addressing the media today in the city, Ashok remarked, “Mahatma Gandhi had once suggested that the Congress party should be dissolved after independence. Yet, we now see fake Gandhis leading the Congress in a lavish convention in Belgaum. Gandhiji lived a life of simplicity, while Congress leaders flaunt extravagant lifestyles.” He criticized the exclusive invitation list for the convention, noting that only Congress party leaders, including the Prime Minister and Home Minister, were invited, while representatives from other parties were notably absent. “This is not a government event; it is a Congress party function,” he asserted.
Ashok emphasized that since the event is a Congress initiative, no members from his party will attend. Instead, he stated that they plan to pay floral tributes to the statue of Gandhi in front of the Vidhan Soudha. He further accused the Congress of having historically undermined national unity, claiming, “The Congress party is responsible for partitioning India. While we aim to present a united front, Congress continues to present a fractured image of India, excluding Jammu and Kashmir.” He condemned the Congress for what he described as a divisive mentality that fragments the nation.
The opposition leader did not hold back in his criticism of Congress’s historical ties. “Babasaheb Ambedkar was never a Congressional leader; in fact, he opposed the party and formed his own political identity,” Ashok noted. He highlighted past conflicts between Ambedkar and Jawaharlal Nehru, questioning, “With what right do Congress leaders now profess support for Ambedkar when they campaigned against him?”
Ashok also pointed out the irony of Nehru receiving the Bharat Ratna while ignoring Ambedkar’s contributions, stating, “While Nehru awarded himself the highest civilian honor, he overlooked Ambedkar, who contributed immensely to the nation’s foundation.” He accused Congress leaders of exploiting Ambedkar’s legacy for electoral gain.
Further echoing Ashok’s sentiments was BJP state president and MLA BY Vijayendra, who dismissed the current Congress party as “fake,” saying, “What exists today under the banner of Congress is not the real party that once upheld the principles of Gandhi and Ambedkar.” He criticized Congress for planning a major convention funded by the hard-earned taxes of the people and announced a sit-in protest in front of the Mahatma Gandhi statue in Bengaluru the following day at 10:30 am, stating that lawmakers from both the Legislative Assembly and Legislative Council would participate.
Vijayendra concluded by accusing Congress of historical failures, asserting, “They have given Pakistan-occupied Kashmir to Pakistan, and it is unfortunate that Congress distorts the nation’s map in the name of a ‘Gandhi India.’” The upcoming protest is expected to draw significant attention and could escalate tensions between the ruling party and the opposition in Karnataka.
ಸ್ವಾತಂತ್ರ್ಯಕ್ಕಾಗಿ ಅಸ್ತಿತ್ವಕಂಡು ಕೊಂಡಿದ್ದ ಅಂದಿನ ಕಾಂಗ್ರೆಸ್ ಅನ್ನು ರಾಜಕೀಯ ಅಧಿಕಾರಕ್ಕಾಗಿ ಅಪೋಶನ ಮಾಡಿಕೊಂಡ ಕುಟುಂಬದ ಮುಷ್ಟಿಯಲ್ಲಿರುವ ಇಂದಿನ ಕಾಂಗ್ರೆಸ್, ಇಂದು ನಡೆಸುತ್ತಿರುವ ಬೆಳಗಾವಿ ಸಮಾವೇಶದ ಶತಮಾನದ ನೆನಪು ಕೇವಲ ರಾಜಕೀಯ ಹಿತಾಸಕ್ತಿಗಾಗಿ ಎಂಬುದು ದೇಶದ ಜನತೆಗೆ ತಿಳಿದಿದೆ.
ಭಾರತದ ಕಿರೀಟ ಕಾಶ್ಮೀರಕ್ಕೆ ಕತ್ತರಿ ಪ್ರಯೋಗಿಸಿ… pic.twitter.com/0mHNCNNHqP
— Vijayendra Yediyurappa (@BYVijayendra) December 26, 2024
In a scathing condemnation of the Congress party, . Vijayendra has taken to social media platform ‘X’ to voice his outrage over Congress’s recent actions that he claims undermine national integrity. He stated, “By presenting a map of India that excludes Kashmir, Congress is not only committing treason against the nation but also disrespecting the ideals of Mahatma Gandhi. They must immediately seek forgiveness from the people of this country for this grave offense.”
Vijayendra emphasised the stark contrast between the original Congress, which arose in the fight for independence, and today’s Congress, which he perceives as a family-dominated entity that exploits political power for self-serving interests. “The Congress party of today, born out of a legacy that fought for our freedom, has become a mere puppet in the hands of a political dynasty. The recent convention in Belgaum is merely a façade for their political ambitions, and the public is well aware of this charade,” he remarked.
He further criticised the Congress party for their alleged disrespect towards the founding principles of the nation and Gandhi’s vision. “What does it say about Congress when they plan a convention to commemorate a century of their existence while simultaneously using the sword of division against Kashmir? Their actions stand as a pallor against the legacy of Mahatma Gandhi, who devoted his life to ensuring the unity of India. Is this gathering meant to celebrate patriotism, or is it merely a backdrop for actions that incite national discontent? The Congress party must clarify their intentions,” he challenged.
Vijayendra’s critique centers around the idea that the Congress party’s recent actions reflect a deeper agenda of fostering separatist sentiments, which he believes is detrimental to India’s unity. “Are we to believe that honoring Mahatma Gandhi and his teachings can coexist with the promotion of divisive ideologies? Their attempt to engage with those who seek to fragment our nation is deeply concerning,” he stated.
He called for accountability within the Congress ranks for what he describes as their betrayal of national pride and integrity. The BJP leader’s comments come as mounting discontent grows over perceived attempts by Congress to rewrite history and manipulate present narratives for political gains.
Former CM Basavaraj Bommai Accuses Congress of Betraying Gandhi’s Ideals
In a pointed critique of the Congress party, former Chief Minister and Haveri MP Basavaraj Bommai stated that there is a significant disparity between the original Congress of Mahatma Gandhi’s era and the Congress of today. Speaking to the media in the city, he commented, “What we see now is a fake Congress. The distinction between the two is stark.”
Bommai centered his remarks around the Congress party’s alleged departure from the principles espoused by Gandhi. He accused the current Congress leadership of acting contrary to the ideals that Gandhi championed during India’s freedom struggle. “The governance in our state is marred by a lack of law and order, and there is rampant corruption across all departments and corporations,” he said, reinforcing his stance that the Congress party has strayed far from its foundational values.
Further illustrating his point, Bommai alleged that the party had misappropriated funds designated for welfare initiatives aimed at marginalised groups. “Corruption has been rampant even in the allocation of funds for Dalit beneficiaries. They are acting in stark contrast to the values of Gandhiji’s vision for self-rule,” he asserted.
Bommai also raised concerns regarding the funding of the Congress party’s convention using government resources, questioning the legality and ethics of such actions. “How is it acceptable to use taxpayer money for a political event? Under what law does this operate? It raises serious questions about the propriety of using government funds for political rallies,” he demanded.
Critiquing the Congress party’s use of Gandhi’s name as a rhetorical device, he stated, “They hold their convention under the guise of honoring Gandhiji while simultaneously operating under false pretenses. What we are witnessing is nothing less than a fake convention in the name of the real Gandhi.”
The former Chief Minister’s remarks underscore a growing sentiment among opposition parties regarding the Congress’s alleged manipulation of historical and cultural icons for political gain. As tensions simmer, Bommai’s accusations add further fuel to the ongoing political discourse surrounding integrity, governance, and accountability within the Congress party.
