BJP links honey-trapping to power struggle in Karnataka
B.Y. Vijayendra, the BJP State president, accused the Congress party of using a recent honey-trapping incident to undermine Chief Minister Siddaramaiah's position. He stated that this situation is part of a broader competition for power within the state. Vijayendra did not elaborate further but expressed interest in how the Congress leaders would respond. Vijayendra also remarked on recent allegations made by Cooperation Minister K.N. Rajanna, suggesting that senior politicians and judges have fallen victim to organized honey-trapping. He shifted focus to what he described as "minority appeasement" by the Congress government. He contended that the BJP is not anti-Muslim, but criticized the Congress for favoring Muslims at the expense of Hindus. He expressed discontent with the recent state budget presented by Siddaramaiah, claiming it lacked vision and only catered to Muslim interests. Vijayendra described the six-month suspension of 18 BJP MLAs as unconstitutional and asked the Assembly Speaker U.T. Khader to reconsider this decision. He argued that the MLAs were protesting the government's minority appeasement and that a suspension of this length insults their constituents. In his comments, Vijayendra pointed out additional restrictions placed on the suspended MLAs, arguing that these measures are also unconstitutional. He believes that the Speaker made a poor decision by implementing such a lengthy suspension, expressing concern for the voters represented by the affected members. Vijayendra and former Chief Minister B.S. Yediyurappa were in Kalaburagi to finalize details of a family wedding.