Congress and BJP – outcry for 2023 Karnataka election

Overview : 

State elections to the 16th NLA for Karnataka will be held in a single-phase election on May 10 for which results will be announced on May 13.

Karnataka’s legislative assembly is the fifth largest in terms of strength and has a total of 224 seats. The main focus of the Congress’s campaign against the BJP government has been corruption, with particular attention paid to “scams” and a contractors’ body’s 40% commission fee. By emphasising corruption under previous Congress administrations at the Centre and in the States, the BJP has attempted to refute the narrative.

History of Congress Party 

The Congress party has a long and rich history in the state of Karnataka, which is located in the southern part of India. The party has played a significant role in the state’s politics since independence. The Congress party first came to power in Karnataka in 1947, just after India gained independence from British colonial rule. At that time, the party was led by Kengal Hanumanthaiah, who served as the state’s first chief minister. During his tenure, Hanumanthaiah focused on agricultural development and social welfare programs, which helped to improve the lives of the state’s citizens.

The Congress party continued to dominate politics in Karnataka in the following decades, with the party winning the majority of seats in the state legislature in most elections. The party’s leadership during this time included prominent figures such as S. Nijalingappa, Veerendra Patil, and S. Bangarappa.

During the 1980s and 1990s, the Congress Party faced increasing competition from other parties, particularly the Janata Dal and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). However, the party managed to stay in power for much of this time, with leaders such as R. Gundu Rao and M. Veerappa Moily serving as chief ministers.

BJP’s race for power in Karnataka 

In recent years, the Congress party has faced new challenges in Karnataka, with the BJP becoming the dominant political force in the state. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has a relatively short but eventful history in Karnataka, which is located in the southern part of India. The party, which was founded in 1980, first came to power in Karnataka in 2008 and has since become a major political force in the state.

The BJP’s rise to power in Karnataka was largely due to the efforts of its leader, B.S. Yeddyurappa, who became the state’s chief minister in 2008. Yeddyurappa’s leadership was characterized by a focus on rural development and infrastructure projects, which helped to improve the lives of the state’s citizens.

In 2018, the BJP once again came to power in Karnataka, following a closely contested election. The party formed a coalition government with the Janata Dal (Secular), but the government was short-lived, and the BJP once again came to power in 2019.

Criticism of the leading national parties 

BJP faces criticism from opposition parties over its handling of social welfare programs and environmental issues. However, the BJP remains a major political force in Karnataka and continues to be led by prominent figures such as B.S. Yeddyurappa and Basavaraj Bommai. Congress as the leading national party remains a major player in Karnataka politics, and continues to be led by prominent figures such as Siddaramaiah and D.K. Shivakumar. The party’s focus in recent years has been on issues such as social welfare, healthcare, and education, which are seen as key concerns for the state’s citizens.

A look at the manifestos prior to the election (Congress)

1.  The party’s top goal will be the development of the “Coastal Region.” to promote investment, tourism, employment, and balanced growth. Create a statutory organisation with the name “Kawawali Development Authority” and a Rs 2,500 crore annual budget to do this.
2. Aiming to create 1 lakh jobs in the coastal region, Mangalore will be the country’s next major centre for the IT and apparel industries.
3.  Focus on Mogaveeras in particular : A 10 lakh insurance policy for each fisherman, One lakh loans to fisherwomen with no interest. To subsidise of upto 25 lakh (or 25% of the cost) for the purchase of fully-equipped fishing boats while increasing the amount of diesel subsidies from 300 litres per day to 500 litres per day, from 210.71 cents per litre to 225 cents per litre. Also towards construction of the fishing harbours in Malpe, Gangolli, and Mangalore within six months of the Congress government’s creation, the

4. The establishment of the “Shree Narayana Guru Development Board,” with a yearly budget of 250 crore, or 1,250 crores in 5 years of Congress rule.

5..The establishment of the “Bant Development Board” with an annual budget of Rs 250 crore, or Rs 1,250 crores for the course of the Congress government’s five years in office.

6. The Modi government has terminated the Pre-Matric Scholarship for Minorities; this fund should be restored and increased. 

7.  Set aside 50 crore to address the issues facing areca nut growers who are afflicted with illnesses like yellow leaf and others, as well as to enhance marketing and research in this area.

8. Every home in Karnataka receives 200 free electricity units each month.

9. To combat inflation, each woman who is the family head should receive Rs 2,000 each month in her bank account, or $24,000 annually.

10. The establishment of a “Shree Swami Vivekananda Communal and Social Harmony Committee” in each Gramme Panchayat with the necessary funding and strategies. Establish an IIT in Nandihalli, in the Sandur Taluk, which already houses a PG Centre connected to Krishnadevaraya University in the Ballari district.

A look at the manifestos prior to the election (BJP)

1. To waive all loans from nationalised banks and cooperatives, including crop loans up to Rs. 1 lakh, for the benefit of our Annadaatas by first assembly meet
2. Stree Unnati outlets will be established to advertise its products at district and taluk headquarters using the Rs. 10,000 crore “Stree Unnati” Fund, which would be used to set up one of the largest women-run cooperatives.
3. Only women will be eligible for loans up to Rs. 2 lakh. Self-Help Organisations at 1% Interest
4. By enhancing skills, encouraging self-employment, and creating jobs, you can guarantee that everyone has access to good employment opportunities.
5. A $100 billion fund will be used to upgrade the sports facilities in government schools and institutions.
6. Launch the “Annadasoha” Programme to guarantee universal access to food. Give free regionally specific food items and APL cards to BPL cardholders.
7. Two “Karnataka Institutes of Medical Sciences” should be established (similar to AIIMS).
8. Create the “Karnataka Schools and Colleges Fee Regulation Authority” to guarantee that students from the less advantaged groups of society can afford to attend college.
9. Under the Center’s Saubhagya initiative, all households will have access to energy connections and continuous power supply.
10. Make sure that all temple revenue is exclusively and entirely used for the upkeep of temples and other religious institutions.