Bengaluru, July 4 : Discontent is brewing within the Karnataka unit of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), with several grassroots workers accusing their own leadership of ignoring serious allegations of a land scam involving the Karnataka Industrial Areas Development Board (KIADB). The issue has sparked fresh political debates as party workers question the leadership’s muted response, especially in the context of farmer protests in Devanahalli.
The allegations centre around senior KAS officer Balappa Handigunda, the KIADB’s land acquisition officer. Complaints have been submitted to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah by the Citizen Rights Foundation. A formal complaint has also been filed with the Enforcement Directorate (ED), implicating Congress leaders including Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Minister M.B. Patil.
Despite the gravity of these charges, BJP workers in the Devanahalli area are reportedly upset over what they perceive as a lack of political will from the state leadership. “Is C.T. Ravi the only leader who cares?” one local worker asked, referring to the BJP MLA who had previously raised the issue. “Why are the rest of the leaders silent?”
Farmer Groups Once Critical of Modi Now Target Siddaramaiah Govt
Adding a twist to the ongoing political dynamics, the Samyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM), which had previously led high-profile protests in Delhi against the Centre’s farm laws, has now extended support to the Devanahalli farmers. SKM leader Rakesh Tikait and several other farmer leaders from across India have joined the agitation, which is aimed at the Congress-led state government.
The development has not gone unnoticed by party workers, who believe this presents a clear opportunity for the BJP to corner the ruling Congress. Ironically, the same farmer organisations that had earlier criticised the Modi government are now opposing Siddaramaiah’s administration.
However, many BJP workers are disillusioned. “When the same groups were used by the Congress to attack Modi, we were quick to defend our leader. Why is our state leadership hesitant now?” questioned a senior worker.
‘State BJP Has Aligned with Congress,’ Say Workers
The accusations from within the party are sharp. Some workers have echoed statements made earlier by BJP MLA Basangouda Patil Yatnal, who had suggested that a section of the state BJP leadership might be aligning informally with the Congress government.
“It feels like Karnataka BJP no longer needs Modi. They don’t even care about the insults he faced during the national protests. This is not the BJP we stood behind,” said a visibly upset worker in a private meeting.
Despite repeated calls for stronger action, senior state leaders have not launched any coordinated campaign on the KIADB issue, leaving workers frustrated and directionless.
Political Opportunity or Missed Moment?
With farmer protests intensifying and political pressure mounting, analysts suggest this may be a defining moment for the Karnataka BJP. Whether the leadership chooses to act or continues to remain silent could shape its relevance in the run-up to future elections.
