Vijayendra criticized the Congress for allocating crores of taxpayers' money to organize the event, labeling it inappropriate. He referred to the current Congress as a "fake Congress," asserting that it has deviated from the principles of Mahatma Gandhi and B.R. Ambedkar. He stated, "The Congress is organizing a convention in Belagavi using crores of taxpayers’ money, which is not right. We will hold a sit-in demonstration in front of the Mahatma Gandhi statue in Bengaluru on Friday."
Former Chief Minister and BJP MP Basavaraj Bommai echoed these sentiments, accusing the Congress of using funds sanctioned by the Karnataka government to support the All India Congress Committee (AICC) session. He demanded that Chief Minister Siddaramaiah clarify the legal provision under which these funds were allocated, calling the act "unheard of" and politically motivated.
The BJP also alleged that Congress displayed a distorted map of India on its posters ahead of the Congress Working Committee (CWC) meeting. Vijayendra criticized the ruling party for what he described as a deliberate act, showcasing a "divisive mindset." Sharing images of the map, the Karnataka BJP wrote on X: "RaGa’s Mohabbat ki Dukaan is always open for China! They would break the nation. They've done it once. They'll do it again."
In response to the BJP's planned protest, Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar dismissed the allegations and expressed confidence that the event would proceed without disruption. He stated, "We are not afraid of any protests. The celebrations will go on as planned."
The 1924 Belagavi session holds historical significance as the only Congress session presided over by Mahatma Gandhi. The centenary celebrations aim to honor this legacy, but the BJP contends that the Congress's approach contradicts Gandhi's principles of simplicity and fiscal responsibility.
Adding to the controversy, farmers under the banner of Rashtriya Raitha Sangh staged a two-day hunger strike in front of the Deputy Commissioner's office in Belagavi. They criticized the government for organizing the centenary celebrations without consulting the farming community and accused it of neglecting critical agricultural concerns. The farmers condemned the state administration for allegedly prioritizing political agendas over public welfare, arguing that the excessive expenditure on the celebration betrays Gandhi's vision, which emphasized simplicity and the upliftment of rural India.
Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Roshan met with the protesting farmers, listened to their demands, and assured them of appropriate action. District Superintendent of Police Dr. Bhimashankar Guled was also present during the discussions. The farmers demanded immediate solutions to their pressing issues and called for sincere efforts from the government to ensure their welfare.