Nine Issues BJP Can Target Congress Government On In Karnataka Assembly But Probably Won't

Since Monday, 15 July, Karnataka's legislative assembly is having its monsoon session.

As Karnataka went the Congress way in 2023, the party was voted to power on the five guarantees — a populist poll plank that promised free bus rides for women, free electricity, financial aid for women and unemployed youth and free rice for the underprivileged.

Since then, managing the fiscal deficit and keeping ambitious ministers in check has kept Chief Minister Siddaramaiah busy. But not so much in dealing with the Opposition.

In the recent past, the BJP has been criticised for not being active enough as an opposition in the state. Many have even called for serious introspection going ahead.

Here are a few potential issues the opposition may try to raise in the assembly this week —

One, the new scams that are being uncovered almost every other week could get the opposition going. Earlier last week, two scams hit the headlines: the Mysuru Urban Development Authority and the Valmiki scam.

With CM Siddaramaiah's wife being directly named as one of the beneficiaries, the fingers have been pointed towards the Congress.

Two, rising fuel, electricity and transportation fares have made the common man's life miserable. Price rise has brought down governments and powerful leaders across the world.

This is an opportunity for the BJP to take on the Congress government even as it finds ways to fund Rahul Gandhi‘s guarantees made in the run up to the assembly election.

Three, the rising dengue cases in Karnataka have caused widespread public concern and distress. Adding fuel to the fire, a Congress minister's recent insensitive remarks regarding the outbreak have sparked outrage among citizens.

Four, the discontent surrounding the appointment of Deputy Chief Ministers in Karnataka has angered various communities, including Muslims, Dalits and Lingayats.

Five, the Karnataka Platform-Based Gig Workers (Social Security and Welfare) Bill, 2024, aimed at regulating the burgeoning gig economy, has faced significant discontent among the associated stakeholders.

The industry has expressed concerns against some of the provisions mentioned in the draft of the bill since it treats gig workers as traditional employees, whereas in reality, they are not.

The BJP being industry-friendly and pro-business political force has to take this up, as thousands of gig workers may be affected and big businesses like Uber, Zomato and Swiggy can be in serious trouble if it is implemented without any consultation.

Six, the arrest of prominent film personality Darshan has captured public attention, with calls for a thorough investigation and a speedy trial. The anger against Darshan for allegedly murdering Renuka Swamy has got the media and the netizens united against the actor, while the political class has either maintained silence or has been diplomatic with their answers.

This includes a lot of BJP leaders who are actors. Statements calling for justice for the victim's family would help restore confidence and force the Congress government to act decisively.

Seven, Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar's proposal to create a new district in Bengaluru South has raised concerns about the influence of the real estate lobby in the state politics.

By highlighting the nexus between politics and real estate interests, calling for a thorough investigation into the alleged corruption scandals, the BJP can possibly differentiate itself from the rest of the crowd.

'Adjustment politics' is a term that is popularly used by the media and the common man to describe the nexus between politicians across the party lines to get their things going.

On matters of corruption, it is safe to say that no party or politician has a squeaky clean image in the state. But the BJP could use this as an opportunity to stand out on the issue.

Eight, the five freebies announced by the Congress has been eating away a major chunk of the annual budget every year, with a constantly declining capital expenditure. Development and fiscal responsibility have taken a backseat.

To be able to finance these schemes and still generate enough revenue to keep the development going is already proving to be an impossible task for the Siddaramaiah-led Congress government in the state.

Nine, the lack of development in regions like coastal Karnataka and Uttara Karnataka, coupled with persistent traffic issues in Bengaluru, presents a critical issue for the government to address. By highlighting the disparities in regional development and proposing comprehensive plans for infrastructure improvement, the opposition can demonstrate its commitment to the growth of every region of the state. 

However, given its record as the opposition in the state, many observers feel that the BJP may well let this opportunity to take on the Congress government pass.