'Only To Make Rahul Gandhi Happy': BJP Slams Karnataka Government For Giving Compensation To Family Of Kerala Man Killed By Elephant

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has leveled allegations against the Karnataka government, claiming that it "illegally allocated" Rs 15 lakh to the family of a Kerala man killed by an elephant that strayed into Wayanad, Kerala, from Karnataka.

As reported by Deccan Herald, the BJP's Karnataka unit president, B Y Vijayendra, accused the Congress-led government of misusing taxpayers' money to appease Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, who represents Wayanad in Parliament.

"Illegally allocating state fund of Rs 15 lakh to a deceased individual from Rahul Gandhi's Wayanad constituency, falsely blaming an elephant from Karnataka, is an appalling betrayal," he said.

Vijayendra, denounced the allocation as a betrayal of Karnataka's urgent needs, particularly amid severe drought conditions and farmer suicides in the state.

He emphasized the government's alleged prioritization of pleasing Rahul Gandhi over addressing pressing issues faced by Karnataka.

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Furthermore, Vijayendra criticized the Congress ministers for allegedly plundering state funds amidst the party's internal struggles.

He added that, "Due to pressure from Rahul Gandhi, the Government and Forest Minister Eshwar Khandre are planning to lift the ban on traffic movement in the Bandipur Reserve Forest area...This is highly objectionable."

"This is highly objectionable. BJP strongly condemns the act of the State Government. They are doing this only to make Rahul Gandhi happy...BJP can't allow the State Government to make such decisions hastily...We will demand CM and the Government to take back the Rs 15 Lakhs," Vijayendra said.

On Sunday ( 18 February), Karnataka Forest Minister Eshwar Khandre had announced that the state government had agreed to provide compensation to the Kerala man's family, equivalent to what would be offered to Karnataka residents in similar circumstances.

The issue stems from the incident, on 10 February, when a man was killed by the elephant in the Wayanad district of Kerala.

Following this, elected representatives and the Government of Kerala had requested the Karnataka government to be largehearted and pay compensation for that case.

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