Shivamogga (The Hindu); B.S. Yeddyurappa, President of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) State unit has criticised the performance of Congress government in the State and said that BJP would take to the streets over the issue.

“The way in which the State government handled the drought situation, the charges of corruption levelled against Chief Minister (CM) Siddaramaiah and many members of his cabinet have left the people disappointed. The BJP will mobilise the opinion of the people against the misrule of the Congress government,” he told presspersons here on Saturday.

Mr. Yeddyurappa said that henceforth he would tour the State for four to five days in a week to create awareness among the people on the failures of the Congress government. The struggle against the Congress government will be intensified after the revamp of BJP State unit, he said.

He added that the countdown to the end of Congress rule in the State has begun. The result of the recently held elections for Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) indicate that there has been a decline in the popularity of the Congress. Of the 985 seats in the ULBs that went for polls, BJP secured 415 seats while the Congress managed to win mere 353 seats, he said.

Referring to the scam related to water-testing laboratory and the irregularities related to awarding works of de-silting of tanks in Department of Minor Irrigation, he said that corruption is rampant under the Congress rule.

“The visit of CM Siddaramaiah to drought-affected villages will not serve any purpose. The worksites of Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme that were teeming with workers during the visit of Chief Minister in drought-affected villages wore a deserted look after his exit. The officials asked farmers to bring their cattle to goshaalas only to impress CM during his visit,” Mr. Yeddyurappa said.

The Centre has provided an amount of Rs. 1,540 crore to take up relief works in drought-affected areas but the money has not been utilised properly. The suspension of few tahsildars by the CM in drought-affected areas for their failure to take up relief work is a publicity gimmick. He added that the administrative machinery has failed to address the problems in drought-hit areas.

Mr. Yeddyurappa said that even the senior leaders of Congress are not satisfied with Mr. Siddaramaiah’s style of functioning.