Mangaluru, (The Hindu): Bharatiya Janata Party president Amit Shah on Tuesday said it is not just the BJP that wants a change in government in Karnataka, but also people of the state too want a change as they are fed up with corruption and appeasement policies of the government.

Kicking off his three-day Karnataka coastal tour from the temple town dedicated the serpent God after having the darshan, Mr. Shah was addressing Navashakti Sammelan — nine workers from each of the 229 booths of Sullia Assembly constituency — at Kulkunda near Kukke Subrahmanya.

The delay in the arrest of Mohammed Nalapad Harris, son of Shanthinagar MLA N.A. Harris in the assault case was not just because he was the son of a ruling party MLA, Mr. Shah said adding it was part of Congress government’s minority appeasement policy. While the BJP is solely concentrating on the development agenda, the Congress, he alleged, is indulging in politics of appeasement thereby bringing development to a standstill.

There is nothing wrong in seeking accounts from the government and BJP is always accountable to people, Mr. Shah said. While the UPA government during the 13th Finance Commission had released 88,583 crore to Karnataka, the NDA government under the 14th Finance Commission has so far released 2,19,506 crore to Karnataka. Besides, the centre has also released over 80,000 crore to Karnataka under different heads, including roads, AMRUT, Swath Bharath, bus procurement, Bengaluru Metro, Railways etc.

Everyone is entitled to know what has happened to the grants, Mr. Shah said and alleged the amounts have reached the pockets of the powers that be in the state. Corruption has been ruling the roost in Karnataka with Congress MLAs and the Chief Minister facing corruption allegations, he said.

Booth strategy

BJP’s success — having over 14,000 legislators from just a few, 330 MPs and 19 States under its fold with coalition parties — is mainly due to strong booth level organisation and the popularity of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Mr. Shah said.

“If you win a booth, you can win the constituency,” the party President exhorted booth members who had assembled at the meet. BJP’s strategy of strengthening the party from the booth level is based on minute planning and scientific approach, he said. BJP has won many states and is set to win Tripura adopting this strategy, he said.

Sullia MLA S. Angara, MP Nalin Kumar Kateel, National Organising Secretary Santhosh, district President Sanjeev Matandoor and others were present.

Though having fever since his arrival at Mangaluru on Monday, Mr. Shah continued with his schedule and moved to Puttur to address a large gathering of students from Vivekananda Vidyavardhaka Sangha.