Amidst the backdrop of the blast at Bengaluru’s Rameshwaram cafe, the Opposition BJP in Karnataka vehemently criticized the Congress government. Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar’s assertion about exploring the dimension of business rivalry added fuel to the political fire. State BJP President B.Y. Vijayendra went on record stating that if the Congress leader persists in his unchanged demeanor, he may find himself listed among the “anti-nationals.”
Expressing his views in Kunigal of Tumakuru district, Shivakumar elaborated on the ongoing investigation into the blast. The lens of inquiry extends to the realm of business competition. “The Rameshwaram cafe blast is under scrutiny, and there’s no cause for alarm among Bengaluru residents. Surveillance footage from surrounding areas is under examination to trace the movements within a two-kilometer radius,” he reassured, urging the public not to succumb to panic.
In a contrasting tone, BJP leader Vijayendra condemned the Congress government’s “fraternal leniency,” deeming it a significant peril to the populace. He asserted this stance by referencing the Mangaluru cooker blast incident, where Deputy Chief Minister Shivakumar, in a ‘brotherly’ approach, absolved the accused and shielded them from scrutiny. Citing the Shivamogga Tipu Jayanthi celebration episodes, Vijayendra accused the Congress of inaction due to minority appeasement when anti-national elements disrupted the peace by pelting stones and invading Hindu households.
Urging immediate intervention by the National Investigation Agency (NIA), Vijayendra emphasized the BJP’s commitment to refrain from politicizing such grave incidents. He criticized Chief Minister Siddaramaiah’s continued tenure, asserting that the blast, deemed a “terrorist act” by Leader of Opposition R. Ashoka, reflects a pattern wherein terrorism gains audacity whenever Siddaramaiah assumes power.