In a blistering media briefing in Bengaluru, Karnataka BJP chief B.Y. Vijayendra on Tuesday accused Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and his deputy D.K. Shivakumar of prioritizing internal power struggles over the mounting woes of the state’s unemployed youth. The remarks come amid escalating protests by students demanding government job recruitments.
Vijayendra pointed to sustained demonstrations in Dharwad and other regions, where jobless graduates have been agitating for over two years. ‘Our young people are on the streets, crying for opportunities, yet the Siddaramaiah government turns a blind eye,’ he stated emphatically.
Recalling the violent crackdown on protesting student unions during the Belagavi legislative session, he noted the judiciary’s reluctant involvement. ‘Lathi charges couldn’t silence them, and now the High Court has forced a CM meeting. This is the extent of their callousness,’ Vijayendra said.
At the heart of the controversy is the alleged rivalry between the CM and his deputy. ‘Siddaramaiah fights to retain power, Shivakumar plots to seize it—they’re too busy plotting to hear the youth,’ he alleged. With 2.85 lakh vacant posts, the government has stalled recruitments citing legal reservation issues, he claimed.
Ministers may speechify across Karnataka, but their inaction speaks louder. Vijayendra warned that the BJP and student groups will intensify their campaign, holding the Congress accountable for betraying the aspirations of millions of young Kannadigas. The stage is set for a larger confrontation over youth employment.