Vijayendra Accuses Karnataka Govt of Misusing Funds and Ignoring Farmers

B.Y. Vijayendra, the BJP’s Karnataka state president and legislator, used a media interaction on the fifth day of the Bellari Chalo march to level serious accusations against the state government. He claimed the administration is misusing funds allocated for guarantee schemes and has turned a blind eye to the plight of farmers and the poor.

According to Vijayendra, the government has built "air‑castles" on paper, promoting schemes like "Griha Lakshmi" without delivering real benefits. He alleged that Rs 5,000 crore earmarked for the scheme is riddled with irregularities, and that neither the chief minister nor the ministers have offered a clear explanation.

The BJP leader also criticized the functioning of district‑level guarantee committees, accusing them of squandering taxpayer money while large‑scale discrepancies persist. He pointed out that the "Shakti" scheme’s rollout has been flawed, especially in remote villages where inadequate bus services disrupt schoolchildren’s daily commute.

Vijayendra reminded the audience that the previous BJP government had provided bicycles to students, a welfare measure that the current Congress administration has discontinued. He further highlighted a severe shortage of doctors in hospitals and teachers in schools across northern Karnataka, arguing that the state has failed to attract major industries or generate sufficient employment.

The leader also raised concerns about the government’s handling of old‑age and disability pensions, as well as the suspension of the milk incentive program for farmers that was introduced by the former BJP regime. He accused the state of turning Karnataka into a "liquor state" by expanding liquor outlets to raise revenue for its guarantee schemes, effectively taking more money from the same families it claims to support.

Vijayendra concluded by asserting that the BJP offers superior welfare guarantees and has launched irrigation projects, while the current government remains ineffective in creating jobs for youth. He urged the administration to waive farmer loans held by cooperative societies and called on the chief minister to take responsibility instead of shifting blame to the centre.