Mangaluru: BJP national general secretary and Karnataka in-charge Radha Mohan Das Agrawal said the party does not view India through a north-south divide, stressing that every state has its own identity and development path.Addressing reporters on Saturday, Agrawal said the BJP follows a long-term vision and does not make decisions based on short-term political considerations. Responding to a question on whether the party had lost Tamil Nadu BJP leader Annamalai and his political strength, he said, “Patience is the first principle of politics in our system.”Drawing from his experience in Kerala, Agrawal said the BJP, which once had no presence in the state, has now established its identity. He added that the party has also significantly expanded its footprint in Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and Telangana.Criticising the Congress govt in Karnataka, he alleged corruption, infighting and appeasement politics, claiming that benefits under the five guarantee schemes had not fully reached beneficiaries and that public funds were being misused for party purposes.On the possible return of expelled BJP leaders Basanagouda Patil Yatnal and KS Eshwarappa, Agrawal said the decision rests with the party’s central leadership, and would depend on multiple factors, including the circumstances of their expulsion and subsequent conduct. He added that any decision on changing the Karnataka BJP president would also be taken by the national leadership, while expressing confidence in the current state president’s performance.Agrawal said the BJP does not engage in sensational politics and has consistently exposed the shortcomings of the Congress govt. He claimed growing public discontent would be reflected in the 2028 assembly elections. On Sumalatha missing out on a Rajya Sabha nomination, Agrawal said she remains a valued BJP supporter whose name had been considered earlier, adding that she could be given an important role in the future.Agrawal, who was in the city to attend the Sankalpa Samavesha marking 12 years of the Narendra Modi-led government, said Karnataka has received significantly higher grants and development funds from the Centre compared to the Congress era.He said India’s economy has grown from $1.9 trillion to $4.1 trillion and is on track to become the world’s third-largest economy by 2031. Highlighting Karnataka’s development, he said 8,191 km of national highways have been built, an industrial corridor has been launched in Tumakuru and a mega tech park is coming up in Kalaburagi. He also highlighted railway projects, including the expansion of the Bengaluru Metro, the world’s longest railway platform at Hubballi, and the introduction of Vande Bharat and Amrit Bharat Express trains.Addressing party workers, Agrawal said the BJP had become the world’s largest political organisation due to its grassroots network across nearly 10 lakh booths. He cited the example of 84-year-old booth president Vatsala Kamath, who was honoured at the programme.Retired Army personnel Rajesh Holla and Sudheer Pai were also honoured, while wheelchairs were distributed to two persons with disabilities. Several BJP workers and individuals were felicitated during the event.
