Bengaluru, August 4, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
The BJP on Tuesday criticised the Congress government in Karnataka over the absence of women in the newly expanded State Cabinet, questioning the party’s commitment to women’s empowerment by referring to Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra’s “Main Ladki Hoon, Main Lad Sakti Hoon” campaign.
Former BJP National General Secretary and MLC C.T. Ravi, while addressing the media in Bengaluru, said the Congress had projected itself as a supporter of women’s rights but failed to include even a single woman in the expanded Cabinet.
“Priyanka Gandhi Vadra delivered long speeches under the slogan ‘Main Ladki Hoon, Main Lad Sakti Hoon’. But where are the women in your own Congress Cabinet?” Ravi asked.
He alleged that the Congress should apologise for what he described as a “constitutional impropriety” and accused the party of ignoring constitutional values through its recent decisions.
Ravi also targeted the induction of B. Nagendra into the Cabinet, alleging that the move amounted to protecting corruption in connection with the alleged Maharshi Valmiki Scheduled Tribes Development Corporation scam.
The BJP leader claimed that chargesheets had been filed against Nagendra and that the Enforcement Directorate had registered a case in the matter and seized cash, jewellery and other assets during its investigation. He alleged that funds meant for the welfare of Scheduled Tribe communities were diverted and used during the Telangana Assembly and Lok Sabha elections, repeating allegations earlier made by the BJP.
Ravi said former Chief Minister Siddaramaiah had acknowledged in the Assembly that ₹89 crore had been misappropriated, while claiming that the total amount involved was not ₹187 crore.
He alleged that by bringing Nagendra back into the Cabinet, the Congress had “endorsed corruption” and failed the interests of Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe communities.
The BJP leader also criticised the inclusion of other ministers in the expanded Cabinet, alleging that some leaders facing controversies had been rewarded with ministerial positions.
Ravi referred to Minister K.M. Shivalingegowda and alleged that remarks made by him in the Assembly reflected his “true character”. He also criticised the re-induction of another minister, claiming that the leader had harmed the education sector, and alleged that those linked to controversies involving the Labour Department’s workers’ kit distribution and the proposed Bidadi Township project had also been given Cabinet berths.
Commenting on reports of Congress workers performing rituals before posters of Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar in Bengaluru, Ravi said, “We will wait and watch what happens next,” indicating that the BJP would continue to monitor developments within the ruling party.
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