Karnataka BJP president B Y Vijayendra.
Credit: PTI File Photo
Hombal: BJP state president B Y Vijayendra wrote on X, on Sunday, accusing the Congress high command of pressurising the state to lift the ban on night traffic through Bandipur.
Reacting to a report in DH, he warned that the state BJP would not remain silent if the state government lifted the ban on night traffic through Bandipur.
“The Congress’ loyalty to its Delhi high command has once again come at Karnataka’s cost. Forest Minister Eshwar Khandre is now pushing to lift the night traffic ban through Bandipur, a move clearly scripted in 10 Janpath, Delhi,” he alleged.
According to him, ever since Priyanka Gandhi’s election rally in Wayanad, the pressure to compromise Karnataka’s forests has intensified.
“Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar even admitted that she personally asked him and Chief Minister Siddaramaiah to reconsider the ban. Is Karnataka being governed from Vidhana Soudha or 10 Janpath?” he questioned.
He said the truth is that the night ban is backed by the Supreme Court, Karnataka High Court, National Tiger Conservation Authority and even the inter-state chief minister-level agreements.
“They all recognize that the ban is not a nuisance, but a lifeline for the fragile ecosystem of Bandipur, which is home to many endangered species including tigers and elephants. Despite this, the ruling Congress is now trying to dismantle it all in a hasty Sunday meeting,” he charged. He noted that this was a betrayal of Karnataka’s forests, its people and its future generations.