‘Cabinet rewards corruption’: B.Y. Vijayendra targets Shivakumar govt over ministerial picks

Bengaluru: Karnataka BJP president B.Y. Vijayendra on Monday launched a scathing attack on the D.K. Shivakumar-led government over the cabinet expansion, alleging that ministerial berths had been given to leaders facing corruption allegations and other controversies.

In a post on X, Vijayendra claimed the new cabinet included “those accused of corruption, those involved in pub riots and those who failed to prevent question paper leaks,” accusing the Congress leadership of rewarding tainted leaders.

The BJP leader also criticised the absence of women in the expanded cabinet, saying the Congress had failed to match its rhetoric on women’s empowerment with action.

Vijayendra further alleged that appointing leaders facing allegations in the Maharshi Valmiki Development Corporation scam reflected the government’s tolerance of corruption.

He also questioned the regional representation in the cabinet, pointing out that eight districts had been left without ministerial representation, while three ministers were inducted from the district represented by the AICC president. Districts including Yadgir, Raichur and Vijayanagar had been ignored, he claimed.

Warning that the public would respond politically, Vijayendra alleged that the Congress government had failed to ensure equitable representation and uphold clean governance.