Koppal: Union Minister for Human Resource Development Prakash Javadekar has criticised the Congress government headed by Siddaramaiah for dividing the Lingayat-Veerashaiva community and accused it [Congress government] of adopting divide and rule policy.

“The Congress has been ruling by dividing society while the BJP has been uniting [people],” he said, while talking to presspersons here on Saturday, prior to participating in a function to distribute LPG cylinders, stoves under the Ujjwala scheme of the Union government.

Describing the Congress government as anti-farmer, Mr. Javadekar pointed out that due to mismanagement, the farmers of Tungabhadra command area had been deprived of water for saving their standing second crop.

He also pointed out that tobacco growers in Hassan were suffering due to sub-standard quality seeds, while maize growers were suffering due to crash in market price.

And, the Congress had done nothing to come to the rescue of the farmers. “Any help for the farmers could be expected from the BJP government,” Mr. Javadekar said.

He expressed the confidence that the BJP would come to power in the State as many a leaders and youths were keen on joining the party.

Prahalad Joshi, MP, expressed concern over the rampant corruption in many government departments and accused the Congress government of auctioning posts in the guise of transferring officials. He said that it (Congress government) should be dethroned in the coming elections.

Later, after distributing LPG cylinders and stoves to the beneficiaries, Mr. Javadekar said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi was striving to eradicate poverty by introducing several welfare schemes for the poor and needy.

Sanganna Karadi, MP, also spoke.