Took 3 years to be CM, will spend next two to hold power: Vijayendra on DKS's term

Published 12 June 2026 · local

Karnataka BJP president BY Vijayendra on Friday took a swipe at newly appointed Chief Minister DK Shivakumar, claiming that the Congress government had squandered the

Karnataka BJP president BY Vijayendra on Friday took a swipe at newly appointed Chief Minister DK Shivakumar, claiming that the Congress government had squandered the past three years on internal power struggles and that the next two years would be spent safeguarding the chief minister's chair rather than governing the state. Speaking to India Today, Vijayendra said the leadership change in Karnataka would bring little relief to the people. According to him, the Siddaramaiah-led government failed to deliver on development due to constant infighting within the Congress. Read Full Story He alleged that Shivakumar, who served as deputy chief minister, spent the last three years focused on becoming chief minister and would now spend the remainder of the government's term trying to retain the position.

"The Congress government achieved nothing in the last three years. There was no development because of the infighting. DK Shivakumar spent the last three years trying to grab the CM's chair, and I am sure he will spend the next two years trying to retain it," Vijayendra said. On the cabinet formation, Vijayendra claimed that dozens of Congress MLAs were camping in Delhi amid intense lobbying for ministerial berths. The Karnataka BJP chief also alleged that Chief Minister DK Shivakumar had taken it as a challenge to ensure that leaders from the Siddaramaiah camp, including BZ Zameer Ahmed Khan and HC Mahadevappa, were not included in the cabinet. The Karnataka BJP chief further alleged that corruption would increase under the new leadership and accused the Congress government of failing to inspire confidence on governance issues.

Referring to the alleged garbage tender controversy, Vijayendra challenged the government to hand the matter over to the CBI if it was serious about tackling corruption. "If the Chief Minister is serious about tackling corruption, let him hand over the garbage scandal for a CBI investigation," Vijayendra said. He alleged that the Congress government was comfortable with a Lokayukta probe and maintained that the BJP would continue to press for a deeper investigation into the issue. The Karnataka BJP chief further alleged that corruption would worsen under the new dispensation. Referring to the BJP's longstanding criticism of the Congress government, he said the party would continue its fight against what it views as a corrupt administration. "Corruption will go to its peak. That is the only change you can see under the new chief minister," Vijayendra said, adding that the BJP would fight the Congress "tooth and nail." Questioning Shivakumar's claims of providing a corruption-free administration, Vijayendra said the people of Karnataka were well aware of the strengths and weaknesses of the state's new chief minister.