Won’t let BJP turn Karnataka into lab of hatred, misgovernance: Rahul Gandhi

PTI, Oct 23, 2022, 3:40 PM IST

Bengaluru: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi said his party will not allow Karnataka to be turned into a laboratory for the BJP’s experiments with hatred and misgovernance.

The leader was optimistic that his party will unleash Karnataka’s true potential through the path of love, peace and harmony.

”The Congress party will not allow this garden of peace to be turned into a laboratory for the BJP’s experiments with hatred and misgovernance,” he said in a statement, after winding up his Karnataka leg of Bharat Jodo Yatra and entered Telangana on Sunday.

”Through the untiring efforts of our state leaders, drawing on the rich cultures of Karnataka and the support of crores of Kannadigas, that day will soon come when we will unleash Karnataka’s true potential through the path of love, peace and harmony,” he added.

While thanking the people for their outpouring of support throughout his journey in Karnataka, Gandhi said he saw the potential of its people being crippled.

Farmers growing crops from every region are struggling to support their families due to rising costs, uncertain yields and fluctuating prices, the Wayanad MP said.

The youth are unable to find opportunities that meet their aspirations despite repeated attempts, Gandhi said, adding, small entrepreneurs are closing down with inadequate or no support and a market that is tilted heavily in favour of a few big players.

”MGNREGA workers, women, weavers and many others are staring at shrinking incomes. Disadvantaged sections of the society and minorities face a rising tide of hatred and violence. The languages, the diverse cultures and the history of the state are being distorted and decimated,” the former Congress president alleged.

He accused the BJP in Karnataka of going against the teachings of 12th century social reformer Basaveshwara, the founder of Lingayat sect.

He said Guru Basavanna had taught ”Do not steal, do not kill, do not lie, do not be angry, do not be intolerant of others” but the BJP has done exactly the opposite of his teachings in Karnataka.

”The state that once spearheaded India’s growth story is now known for the ’40 per cent Commission’ government that exemplifies the BJP’s model of suit, boot, loot Sarkar,” Gandhi charged.

Corruption, according to him, is at an unprecedented scale where people have to pay for jobs, contracts and public services.

”There is nothing that is not up for sale for the BJP in Karnataka. The erosion of social harmony and the public sector is paralysing economic progress and hitting the poor and vulnerable the hardest,” the Congress leader said.

Gandhi, who started the Bharat Jodo Yatra from Kanyakumari in Tamil Nadu on September 7, entered Karnataka on September 30. After travelling across the state for 24 days, he entered Telangana via Mahabubnagar on Sunday.