Karnataka Elections 2023: BJP 'sold governance' in state, Congress takes a swipe at saffron party

The Congress on Friday described the outgoing BJP government in Karnataka as "corrupt" and accused it of having "sold governance" in the southern state.

Ahead of the May 10 Karnataka assembly election, the Congress released a set of posters listing out the "corruption rates" in the state between 2019 and 2023 while dubbing the BJP government a "trouble engine".

The Congress has been hitting out at the BJP government in Karnataka with the "40 per cent commission sarkar" jibe.

The "40 per cent commission' row erupted in the southern state following the death of Belagavi-based contractor Santosh Patil who had earlier alleged that then minister K S Eshwarappa demanded 40 per cent commission for the release of funds for the civil works undertaken by him at a village.

Jairam Ramesh slammed BJP

Posting a photo of the "corruption rates" poster released by the Congress, the party's general secretary, communications, Jairam Ramesh tweeted, "The rate at which BJP has sold governance in Karnataka. This is the BJP double engine of 'DelhiJhoot' and 'BengaluruLoot'."

Congress general secretary in-charge of Karnataka Randeep Surjewala tweeted, "The Digit '40' is ingrained in BJP! The 40 km roadshow in Bengaluru by prime minister today seems to depict the symbolism of 40 per cent BJP Sarkara! As Manipur burns, PM is busy electioneering. Is this the way PM follows Raj Dharma?"

The Congress is seeking to wrest power from the BJP in Karnataka, the only state in southern India where the saffron party is in power. The high decibel assembly election in Karnataka has witnessed the ruling party and Congress trading barbs at each other.

The polling for the 224-member assembly is scheduled on May 10 and counting of votes will take place on May 13.