BJP to Stage Protests in Dakshina Kannada, Udupi Against Karnataka Govt on June 23

Mangaluru, June 22, 2025 – BJP state secretary and Dakshina Kannada MP Capt. Brijesh Chowta announced that a mass protest will be held on June 23 at 10 AM across all panchayats in the undivided Dakshina Kannada district against the state government. Speaking at a press conference at the district BJP office in Mangaluru on Tuesday, he stated that despite raising public issues in the assembly and submitting multiple appeals, no solutions have been provided. Therefore, the protest aims to hold the state government accountable.

The protests will take place simultaneously in 220 gram panchayats, three town municipalities, one town panchayat, two city councils, eight assembly constituencies, and metropolitan corporations, totaling 399 locations.Chowta highlighted that the requirement of Form 9/11 for single-site ownership has created problems, forcing people to approach the housing board for house construction plans. This has led to citizens struggling to obtain maps. He accused the state government’s corruption of being the root cause, alleging that such policies are designed to extort money from the public.

Allegations of Administrative Neglect

The BJP, led by state general secretary and Karkala MLA V. Sunil Kumar, has accused the Siddaramaiah government of neglecting the developmental needs of Dakshina Kannada and Udupi. Kumar highlighted issues such as stalled housing schemes, unresolved land title disputes, and delays in pension payments, which have left residents frustrated. “The Congress government has turned a blind eye to the coastal region’s concerns, prioritizing political agendas over public welfare,” Kumar stated. The protests aim to mobilize local leaders, party workers, and citizens to demand accountability from the state administration.

What to Expect on June 23

The protests are likely to see participation from local BJP leaders, party workers, and affected citizens across Dakshina Kannada and Udupi. Demonstrations will focus on issues like housing scheme delays, land regularization bottlenecks, and inefficiencies in pension distribution. Political analysts view the protests as a precursor to a larger confrontation between the BJP-JD(S) alliance and the Congress government, setting the stage for a heated political battle in Karnataka.

Political Context and Bengaluru Stampede Fallout

The June 23 protests come in the wake of heightened political tensions following a tragic stampede at Bengaluru’s M. Chinnaswamy Stadium on June 4, 2025, which resulted in 11 deaths and over 60 injuries during celebrations for the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) victory. The BJP has seized the opportunity to criticize the Congress government, demanding the resignations of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar for alleged lapses in crowd management. In response, Siddaramaiah has accused the BJP of politicizing the tragedy, referencing incidents like the Morbi bridge collapse in Gujarat and the Maha Kumbh Mela stampede in Uttar Pradesh under BJP-ruled states to counter the opposition’s narrative.

BJP’s Strategic Campaign

The protests are a strategic move by the Karnataka BJP, led by state president B.Y. Vijayendra and supported by Union Home Minister Amit Shah, to strengthen its position in the coastal belt. The party, in alliance with the Janata Dal (Secular) (JD(S)), is intensifying its campaign against the Congress government, alleging corruption and administrative mismanagement. The demonstrations are expected to draw significant attention to local grievances while reinforcing the BJP’s influence in Dakshina Kannada and Udupi, key regions for its electoral base.

Congress’s Defense and Counterarguments

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has defended his government’s record, emphasizing efforts to address the Bengaluru stampede and other administrative challenges. Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar has urged the BJP to refrain from exploiting tragedies for political gain, pointing to similar incidents under BJP-ruled states. The Congress leadership has accused the opposition of orchestrating protests to distract from its own governance failures and to polarize voters ahead of elections.

Keywords: BJP protests, Dakshina Kannada, Udupi, Karnataka Congress government, Siddaramaiah, D.K. Shivakumar, housing delays, land regularization, pension issues, Bengaluru stampede, Karnataka politics, coastal Karnataka, June 23 protests, V. Sunil Kumar, B.Y. Vijayendra, Amit Shah, BJP-JD(S) alliance, administrative failures, political tensions