In the heart of Karnataka’s Bagalkot constituency, BJP’s Veeranna Charantimath is riding a wave of unexpected enthusiasm as the by-election heats up. Addressing reporters on Tuesday, the candidate shared that feedback from grassroots levels in villages and towns has surpassed all projections.
‘Our campaign has underscored a public demand for decisive leadership that stands firm for the common man,’ Charantimath declared. He called on voters to penalize the incumbent ‘Tughlaq government’ at the polls, pointing to a litany of failures.
Corruption has reached unprecedented levels, flood-affected families remain neglected, and land pattas – once routinely distributed under BJP rule to 2,100 beneficiaries – have dried up completely in three years, he charged. Infrastructure initiatives crawl forward, hamstrung by inefficiency.
Charantimath lambasted the government’s hollow assurances on land allocation, where crores are pledged but nothing materializes. ‘Irresponsible rhetoric about Rs 30-40 lakh payouts fools no one,’ he asserted. Election-time announcements for facilities like medical colleges are blatant ploys, he added.
Congress has fielded Umesh Meti, heir to the late assembly member HY Meti, triggering this crucial contest. Reinforcing the attack, BJP’s PH Pujar accused the regime of prioritizing oratory over action, especially in irrigation funding. The Krishna Upper Canal project, critical for the region, appears forgotten, with even top advisors voicing alarm.
Budget commitments ring hollow with a mere Rs 2,600 crore earmarked, potentially delaying completion by decades. Three years of stagnation have bred widespread discontent, positioning BJP to capitalize on the momentum in Bagalkot.
