Former Karnataka chief minister and senior Congress leader Siddaramaiah on Wednesday alleged that the ruling BJP wants to win the Assembly election with "money power" as they "do not have any developmental works to showcase" to the people. Voting in the high-stakes election began at 7am amid tight security.
"Money has been flowing (in the election). Now what else BJP has (done) to go to the voters other than giving them money? What can they say about the state except that they have money? What development have they made?" the Leader of Opposition in the Assembly, who is contesting from Varuna in Mysuru district, said.
The ruling BJP is eyeing to script history by retaining its southern citadel while the Congress eyes a comeback ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha polls. Karnataka is witnessing a three-cornered contest among the ruling BJP, the Congress and Deve Gowda's Janata Dal (Secular).
Siddaramaiah alleged that the BJP could not "give a single house, complete irrigation projects" and reduced free rice for each member of below poverty line (BPL) families from 7 kg to 4 kg per month under the 'Anna Bhagya' scheme.
The BJP has pitted Housing Minister V. Somanna against the veteran Congress leader in Varuna. 75-year-old Siddaramaiah has said this would be his last polls, after which he would abstain from electoral politics.
Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, who hails from Karnataka, also urged the people in to vote in large numbers and choose a 'progressive' government. Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai, after casting his vote at Shiggaon, said this election this time is about development on one side and false allegations on the other. Bommai expressed confidence that people will vote the BJP in with full majority.
Counting of votes to the 224-member Assembly election will be out on May 13.
