BJP Accuses Karnataka Govt of Misusing Funds for Kerala Mans Kin

The BJP has accused the Karnataka government of illegally allocating Rs 15 lakh to the kin of a Kerala man killed by an elephant that strayed from Karnataka into Wayanad. The party alleges that the Congress government is misusing taxpayers money to curry favor with Rahul Gandhi.

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Karnataka has raised allegations against the state government for illegally allocating Rs 15 lakh to the family of a Kerala man who was killed by a tuskless elephant that originated from Karnataka but later strayed into Wayanad in Kerala. The BJP's Karnataka unit president, B Y Vijayendra, pointed out that Congress leader Rahul Gandhi represents Wayanad as a Member of Parliament and accused the Congress government in Karnataka of misusing taxpayers' money to gain favor with the former party president.

Illegal Allocation of Funds

Vijayendra, who is also a Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) from Shikaripura, expressed outrage over the allocation of state funds to an individual from Rahul Gandhi's constituency. He criticized the government for falsely blaming an elephant from Karnataka and termed it an appalling betrayal. Vijayendra highlighted the pressing issues faced by Karnataka, including a crippling drought and farmer suicides, and questioned the government's priorities in allocating funds.

Accountability Demanded

The BJP state chief demanded accountability from Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and his associates for unethically utilizing Karnataka taxpayers' money and state treasury to cater to the interests of the Congress High Command. Vijayendra alleged that amidst the Congress party's struggle for survival, its ministers were plundering the state's coffers.

Compensation Controversy

The controversy arose after the Karnataka Forest Minister, Eshwar Khandre, announced on Sunday that the state government had agreed to pay compensation to the Kerala man on par with the indemnity paid to the people of Karnataka killed by an elephant. The tuskless male elephant was captured in Belur taluk of Hassan district on November 30, 2023, and translocated to the Bandipur Forest area. However, after more than two months, it was found to have strayed into Wayanad district of Kerala.

Following the incident where the elephant killed a man in Wayanad on February 10, elected representatives and the Government of Kerala requested the Karnataka government to provide compensation. The statement from the minister's office revealed that Khandre discussed the matter with Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, who agreed to pay compensation to the family of the deceased individual on par with any person from Karnataka.

The BJP's accusations have sparked a political controversy in Karnataka, with the opposition party criticizing the government's handling of the situation. The allocation of funds to the Kerala man's family has raised questions about the government's priorities and the alleged misuse of public money. The incident has also highlighted the complex issues surrounding wildlife management and the need for cooperation between states in addressing such matters.