Nalin Kumar Kateel, the President of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Karnataka, has raised serious concerns about the emergence of what he describes as “Talibanisation” in the state following the victory of the Congress party in the recent Assembly polls. Kateel alleges that individuals engaged in “anti-national activities” are gaining strength and actively disrupting peace and harmony. He made these remarks after meeting with the family members of Krishnappa, a BJP worker who was allegedly hacked to death while protesting against the bursting of crackers outside their house in the Bengaluru Rural district’s Hoskote area on Sunday.
Expressing his condemnation of the incident, Kateel claimed that attempts were being made to turn Karnataka into a “mini-Bihar.” He criticized the prevailing politics of hatred in the state and warned that it could lead to a state of lawlessness similar to the “jungle raj” witnessed in Bihar. Kateel emphasized that the BJP would not remain passive in the face of such challenges, vowing to confront and combat them resolutely.
According to Kateel, the ongoing power struggle within the Congress party was exacerbating the situation. He alleged that senior Congress leaders were in Delhi to decide on the next Chief Minister, leaving room for Congress workers to engage in hooliganism in the state. Kateel further highlighted incidents of violence that occurred in various parts of Karnataka, including Yadgir, Shivamogga, and Bhatkal, following the announcement of the election results.
Kateel urged the Congress party to recognize the gravity of the situation and take necessary actions. He called on the police to actively investigate and apprehend all individuals responsible for these incidents of violence. The Congress emerged victorious in the Assembly polls, securing 135 out of the 224 seats, while the BJP won 66 seats and the Janata Dal (Secular) headed by former Prime Minister H D Deve Gowda secured 19 seats.
As tensions rise in Karnataka, the state finds itself at a critical juncture, with concerns over the preservation of peace and stability. The allegations made by Nalin Kumar Kateel shed light on the deep-rooted political divisions and ideological clashes that continue to shape the state’s political landscape.