Bengaluru: The BJP will give its full backing to the ongoing agitation of small traders in the state, BJP state president and MLA B. Y. Vijayendra told reporters today at the party’s state headquarters, Jagannath Bhavan.
Speaking to the media, he said the state government’s Commercial Taxes Department has begun issuing notices to street vendors as well as micro, small and very small businesses—sparking widespread concern. “All these traders now live in fear and anxiety,” he said.
Vijayendra accused the Chief Minister and his cabinet of plotting to blame the Union Government for Karnataka’s own revenue problems. He recalled that Chief Minister Siddaramaiah had publicly urged officials to overtake Maharashtra and top the country in GST collections, even setting explicit revenue targets.
“Now the truth is out,” he continued. “With the Congress government’s treasury running dry, the Chief Minister has unleashed the Commercial Taxes Department to issue these notices in a bid to raise money. The notices served on street vendors and small businesses are completely illegal. The government must immediately stop issuing them and withdraw those already sent.”
He added that basic goods like milk are outside the GST ambit, yet even such vendors have been served. While GST has only three rate slabs, officials are issuing notices that demand 18 percent tax from everyone indiscriminately. “Because the exchequer is empty, they are sending notices overnight without any review, leaving every trader terrified. The government must roll back this decision at once,” he said.
“Our workers have strength too …”
Vijayendra also warned the Congress: “Congress activists have repeatedly staged unruly protests outside Jagannath Bhavan. Our workers are strong as well. If your people want to agitate, there’s Freedom Park—don’t test us. We have the power to protest in front of the Congress office, defying your police if necessary.” He said the BJP has already met the Police Commissioner to demand an end to such Congress disturbances and urged KPCC president D. K. Shivakumar to rein them in.
“No clean chit to the CM from the Supreme Court”
Answering a question on the MUDA land-allotment scandal, Vijayendra conceded that the Supreme Court dismissed the Enforcement Directorate’s petition on technical grounds. “But that does not amount to a clean chit for Chief Minister Siddaramaiah. The BJP’s stand—that the Chief Minister and his family were involved—remains unchanged. The court has never declared him innocent,” he said, adding that about 14 plots linked to the CM’s family—worth over ₹5,000 crore—were sold through real-estate agents. “This is a fit case for a CBI inquiry,” he insisted.
On the Dharmasthala issue
Asked about recent controversies in Dharmasthala, he noted that the state government has set up an SIT. “Let the investigation proceed quickly and transparently so the facts emerge. The government must stop anyone trying to disturb the atmosphere there. We know the conspiracy behind this attempt to spoil the place. If they push ahead, we’ll decide how to respond.”
Possible ploy to dodge questions?
With the Assembly session about to begin, Vijayendra claimed ruling-party MLAs themselves are questioning the Chief Minister’s stature in public. “Perhaps to deflect attention during the session, the CM has announced ₹50 crore in grants—but the money hasn’t been released, and no development decisions have been taken. There may be a plan afoot to avoid accountability,” he remarked.
