Emergency-like measures being used by Congress to suppress dissent: BJP's Vijayendra and R Ashoka

Ashoka accused the Congress of having come to power by spreading ‘false propaganda’.

Bengaluru: The Congress government’s decision to file a defamation suit against the BJP for running advertisements critical of the state dispensation invited comparisons with the repressive measures put in place during the Emergency.

Karnataka BJP president B Y Vijayendra, Leader of Opposition in the Assembly and Council R Ashoka and Chalavadi Narayanaswamy respectively, among other saffron party leaders, charged the Congress with using legal means of intimidation to suppress dissent.

The government’s actions reflected its fear and desperation, wrote Vijayendra on ‘X’. Referencing the suspension, and subsequent revocation, of 18 BJP MLAs, Vijayendra added, “The Congress used similar means, including misusing the police, during the Emergency too. They are now using the same playbook to consolidate political control.”  

Ashoka, meanwhile, accused the Congress of having come to power by spreading ‘false propaganda’. “The Congress branded the BJP dispensation ‘40% government’ throughout its campaign. Now, the Congress is trying to muzzle the BJP for raising questions about its misrule,” he added.

The BJP would not be cowed by Congress’s silly threats, said Ashoka, throwing a direct challenge at both Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy CM D K Shivakumar. “The BJP will fulfil its Constitutional role – an opposition party that serves as both a watchdog and critic of the government,” Ashoka said.

Chalavadi, meanwhile, took aim at the Congress party’s lack of political ethics.

“How is it ethical for the government to file cases against the opposition, which is merely lending its voice to public grievances, which include hike in prices of essential commodities, and the government’s failure to fulfil its promises,” he asked.

Pointing to the Congress' flagship 'guarantee' schemes, Chalavadi complained that the government had not succeeded in ensuring the successful implementation of even half of these initiatives. Pointing to the loss of five lives following the floods in Bengaluru, he said, “The government is more concerned with holding on to power than safety of the people. The BJP will continue to raise its voice against the government".

Queried about the move to issue a government order (GO) in response to BJP’s charges, Minister for Law & Parliamentary Affairs H K Patil said, "If their charges had been political in nature, our response would have been the same. But BJP is indulging in spread of disinformation against the state, creating confusion. That's why we issued a GO.”