Mysuru: BJP Spokesperson M.G. Mahesh alleged that Karnataka Home Minister Priyank Kharge had written to the Finance Department seeking the release of Rs. 2 crore for providing food to illegal Bangladeshi immigrants in Bengaluru.

He also accused the State Government of failing to curb rising crime and the growing drug menace in Karnataka.

Addressing a press conference at the BJP Office in Chamarajapuram this morning, Mahesh claimed that law and order had deteriorated under the present government.

Quoting crime statistics, he alleged that Karnataka had witnessed a 10 percent increase in crime compared to the previous year, while Kalaburagi district, represented by Priyank Kharge, had recorded a 15 percent rise.

Criticising the Home Minister for his remarks against the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), Mahesh said previous attempts by Congress leaders, including AICC President Mallikarjun Kharge, had failed to undermine the organisation.

“The RSS has existed for nearly a century and there is no need for it to register. Its accounts are audited regularly,” he said. Mahesh alleged that Priyank Kharge was targeting the RSS to divert attention from issues such as crime, drug trafficking and other law-and-order challenges.

He also questioned why restrictions on minors visiting bars and liquor outlets had not been effectively implemented across the State, including in Mysuru.

Claiming that Mysuru was increasingly becoming a hub for drug-related activities, he said school and college students were falling prey to substance abuse. Instead of focusing on tackling drug networks and organised crime, the Home Minister was targeting the RSS for political reasons, he alleged.

Mahesh further claimed that the Congress would face electoral setbacks if it continued what he described as a policy of appeasing minorities while ignoring the concerns of Hindus.

Party leaders Mahesh Raje Urs, Santosh Kumar and Jayashekar were present at the press conference.