Mangaluru: The political temperature in Dakshina Kannada rose sharply as rival parties took their battles to the streets, unleashing a fresh round of accusations over rising prices, alleged electoral manipulation and governance failures.

While the BJP turned its guns on the Congress-led Karnataka government over increased milk prices and KSRTC bus fares, the Congress launched a counterattack against the BJP-led Centre over alleged attempts to undermine voters’ rights. Meanwhile, the SDPI accused both state and central governments of squeezing ordinary citizens, and the AAP called for a new political alternative in Karnataka.

The city witnessed separate protests and press conferences, with all four parties attempting to position themselves as the voice of the people while questioning the credibility and performance of their political rivals.

BJP targets Congress over milk and bus fare hikes

Leading the offensive against the state government, BJP district president Satish Kumpala and Mangaluru City South MLA D Vedavyas Kamath spearheaded a protest outside the party office near PVS Circle.

The protest was organised to condemn the recent increase in milk prices and KSRTC bus fares, with BJP leaders accusing the Congress government of placing an additional financial burden on ordinary citizens.

Addressing the gathering, MLA Vedavyas Kamath alleged that the government was increasing prices to generate funds for the Congress party’s national political activities.

He claimed that money was being raised in Karnataka to support the party’s political requirements ahead of elections in other states, including Punjab and Uttar Pradesh. These were allegations made by the BJP leader.

Questioning the government’s financial management, Kamath also referred to remarks attributed to Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar about the financial difficulties faced by the transport system.

He recalled that the previous fare revision under Siddaramaiah involved a 15% increase and alleged that the latest revision had pushed fares up by another 25% to 40%.

BJP district president Satish Kumpala accused the Congress government of failing to honour its pre-election commitments, particularly its guarantees to the people.

Instead of delivering on its promises, the government was cheating the people through successive price increases, he alleged.

The BJP leaders warned that protests would be intensified across Karnataka unless the government rolled back the increases.

Congress turns spotlight on BJP over voting rights

While the BJP targeted the state government, the Congress organised a separate protest near the Clock Tower in Mangaluru under the banner of ‘Vote Bachao-Desh Bachao’.

The Dakshina Kannada District Congress Committee organised the programme, raising concerns over alleged attempts to undermine the democratic voting rights of citizens.

DCC president Padmaraj R Poojary said the right to vote was among the most powerful instruments available to citizens in a democracy. However, he alleged that the Election Commission was acting in ways that could deprive voters of their rights and benefit the BJP.

He said the situation demanded a nationwide public movement to protect democratic institutions and safeguard the rights of citizens.

Former minister and senior Congress leader Ramanath Rai also launched a sharp attack on the BJP, alleging that the party had resorted to electoral manipulation through the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process.

Rai said people needed to understand the seriousness of the issue and remain vigilant about developments affecting the electoral process.

Drawing a comparison with recent political developments in the United States, he said the political setback faced by US President Donald Trump offered a wider lesson and suggested that similar political consequences could emerge for Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the coming days.

SDPI says both governments are burdening ordinary people

The SDPI, meanwhile, accused both the state and central governments of making life increasingly difficult for the common man.

Addressing a press conference on Thursday, SDPI state president Abdul Majeed alleged that citizens were being squeezed from both sides, with the Karnataka government and the Centre contributing to the rising cost of living.

He criticised the state government for increasing internal taxes, service charges and registration fees, allegedly placing additional financial pressure on citizens in the name of implementing welfare schemes.

At the national level, he accused the BJP-led government of allowing fuel and essential commodity prices to rise while failing to ensure that consumers benefited from favourable developments in global markets.

Majeed argued that ordinary households were bearing the consequences of policy decisions taken by both governments, despite political claims of public welfare.

AAP calls for a new political alternative

The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) also joined the political debate, questioning the functioning of the state government as well as the role of the opposition.

AAP state vice-president Vivekananda Salins alleged that the government led by Chief Minister DK Shivakumar was facing political instability and administrative stagnation.

He also criticised the BJP and JD(S), accusing them of failing to effectively discharge their responsibilities as opposition parties by holding the ruling government accountable.

Calling for a transparent and credible third political alternative in Karnataka, Salins said the state needed a new political force capable of delivering genuine governance.

Four parties, one political battleground

The developments highlighted the growing political contest in Karnataka, with the BJP and Congress locked in a direct confrontation over governance and democratic rights, while the SDPI and AAP sought to widen the debate by questioning both established political camps.

With allegations ranging from price hikes and broken promises to electoral integrity and administrative failures, Mangaluru witnessed a day of intense political sparring.

Whether these competing campaigns translate into sustained public movements remains to be seen. For now, the city’s political landscape has become another stage for the larger battle between the ruling Congress, the opposition BJP and parties seeking to establish themselves as alternatives in Karnataka.