Mangaluru: Dakshina Kannada district in-charge minister Dinesh Gundu Rao accused BJP leaders of resorting to unfounded claims as a common practice. He suggested that their actions stemmed from apprehension regarding the upcoming five-state elections. In Karnataka, he described them as unreliable, citing their past governance. Rao further stated that Karnataka’s resources had been exploited excessively, likening it to an ATM. He believed that BJP’s fear of losing in the five-state elections was prompting them to tarnish the Congress’s image with baseless accusations.
He claimed that agencies such as the IT and CBI were under their influence, alleging that these agencies acted in accordance with their directives. Dinesh expressed concern over a lack of IT or CBI raids on BJP leaders during their rule and emphasized their call for a CBI investigation into the IT raid. He also emphasized that none of those implicated in the raid were associated with the Congress and expressed support for action against anyone involved in wrongdoing. They were open to discussions with their party volunteers and stressed that they had no intention of causing divisions in any party and acknowledged that it was unclear how many people would defect from JD(S), but he suggested that dissatisfaction with the party’s recent developments might be a motivating factor. These events were described as typical occurrences in the realm of politics.
Dinesh questioned who was behind Operation Lotus and criticized the BJP for what they saw as a destructive impact on the system, noting the BJP’s proficiency in offering money, making threats, and executing political operations.
Shifting focus to the issue of trade boycotts at Mangaladevi Temple, he expressed intent to address this matter with the relevant authorities and stressed the importance of running the country in accordance with the Constitution rather than any particular religious beliefs, advocating for equal rights for all citizens and adherence to the law in conducting business. Dinesh mentioned that calls to boycott had no legal basis, accusing those who promoted such ideas of sowing confusion among the public. He highlighted what they saw as the BJP’s involvement in religious politics and their plans to engage with officials to address the issue.
