BJP Leader B.Y. Vijayendra Fires Back at Deputy CM Shivakumar, Accuses Congress of Corruption and Suppressing Voices

Belagavi, Dec 2025 : BJP State President and MLA B.Y. Vijayendra strongly responded on Thursday to remarks made by Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister and State Congress President D.K. Shivakumar, who had called him a “collection king” and accused him of tarnishing the image of his father and former Chief Minister B.S. Yediyurappa. Speaking to the media in Belagavi, Vijayendra warned Shivakumar not to intimidate him in the manner he allegedly does with others, asserting his authority as an elected representative and the State President of a national party.

Vijayendra posed a pointed question, “Is the treasury of the government empty or not?” cautioning that no one should attempt to bully him. He further remarked that Deputy CM Shivakumar, holding a responsible position, should refrain from speaking about corruption, suggesting that if one were to identify the patriarch of corruption in Karnataka, Congress leaders themselves would name their party.

He also indicated that he would soon reveal details of an alleged conspiracy against his father, B.S. Yediyurappa, drawing attention to what he called political maneuvering aimed at maligning his family. Vijayendra challenged Shivakumar to face the Opposition’s queries in the state Assembly, urging him to demonstrate courage and accountability. He added that Shivakumar should exercise restraint while commenting on him in public forums.

Highlighting governance issues under the Congress-led state government, Vijayendra accused it of neglecting freedom fighters in Mandya district, who have not received their honorarium for the past eight months. He questioned the government’s priorities and criticized attempts to curb dissent, particularly through the Hate Speech Regulation Bill, which he said aims to stifle the voice of the Opposition and control journalists.

“If anyone expresses their opinion on social media, the government is trying to suppress it and even jail people for seven to eight years. This is an anti-democratic move, and we will oppose it,” Vijayendra stated. He also alleged that Assembly Speaker U.T. Khader was adopting an “anti-democratic” approach, further undermining legislative accountability.

Vijayendra accused Karnataka Urban Development Minister Byrathi Suresh of insulting voters from the coastal region and asserted that the BJP would demand a detailed discussion on the Bill once the Assembly convenes. He compared the Congress government’s approach to tactics reminiscent of the 1975 Emergency, a point emphasized by the Leader of Opposition R. Ashoka.

On governance and employment issues, Vijayendra highlighted that two-and-a-half years into the current government, 2.5 lakh government posts remain vacant, and no recruitment has taken place. He cited poor road maintenance, including unfilled potholes, and pointed to the tragic suicide of an unemployed youth from Jagalur taluk in Davanagere district, which he attributed to the government’s delays under the pretext of internal reservation. He criticized the Congress leadership for reacting angrily whenever the issue of an empty treasury is raised.

Vijendra also raised concerns about the treatment of athletes from the Chief Minister’s home district. He cited the case of Chaitra B, a young “Kho Kho” player who has represented India 32 times nationally and internationally. Neighboring states had awarded similar athletes Rs 1–2 crore, while the Congress government in Karnataka gave her only Rs 5 lakh, which she reportedly returned. Vijayendra questioned, “If the Treasury is not empty, what does this indicate?”

Earlier on Thursday, Deputy CM Shivakumar had responded sharply to Vijayendra’s allegations that the Congress-led state government was “looting the state to fund the Congress high command.” He called Vijayendra the real “collection king” and claimed that his actions had brought disrepute to his father, former CM B.S. Yediyurappa. Shivakumar warned Vijayendra not to forget this.

Vijayendra’s detailed rebuttal signals an escalation in political confrontation between Karnataka’s ruling Congress leadership and the state BJP, with both leaders trading allegations over corruption, governance failures, and political integrity, setting the stage for a contentious discourse in the Assembly in the coming weeks.

This exchange underscores deepening political tensions in Karnataka, highlighting public grievances over employment, governance, and transparency, as well as ongoing debates about freedom of speech and accountability in the state’s administrative and legislative processes.