Defamation case: BJP challenges CM Siddaramaiah to open debate on governance

BJP General Secretary and Rajya Sabha MP Radha Mohan Das Agrawal has challenged Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah to an open, televised debate with state BJP president B.Y. Vijayendra, focusing on the Congress government’s performance and the BJP’s chargesheet outlining its alleged failures.

Addressing a press conference, Agrawal criticised the Congress government’s decision to file a defamation case against the BJP for publishing counter advertisements during the party’s Sadhana Samavesha on May 20. He said the BJP, as a responsible opposition, released a chargesheet highlighting the government’s shortcomings, which is a democratic norm. “Instead of responding to our charges in public, they are taking legal action — perhaps the first time a ruling government has filed a defamation case against the opposition,” he said.

Agrawal stated that if Chief Minister Siddaramaiah is confident in his governance, he should accept the challenge for a public debate. “Let it be aired across Karnataka. If he refuses, it only confirms that our allegations are true,” he added. He also pointed out that while Congress won 136 seats in the 2023 Assembly elections, the party saw a decline in support in the recent Lok Sabha polls due to exposed corruption.

The BJP leader also touched upon internal party matters, defending the suspension of MLAs S.T. Somashekar and Shivaram Hebbar on disciplinary grounds. “We never want to lose any member, but discipline is paramount in the party,” he said.

Commenting on allegations against MLA Muniratna, Agrawal stated that the law applies equally to all and assured that action would be taken if he is found guilty following a government investigation. He further condemned alleged threats made to Leader of the Opposition in the Council, Chalavadi Narayanaswamy, and demanded a probe into administrative failures in Kalaburagi district, including the role of the Deputy Commissioner and Superintendent of Police.