Vijayapura, May 22 -- Senior BJP leader Basanagouda Patil Yatnal has intensified his criticism of both the Congress government and the Karnataka BJP leadership, alleging that the state administration is encouraging "appeasement politics" by withdrawing criminal cases linked to communal violence.

Addressing the media in Vijayapura, Yatnal accused Chief Minister Siddaramaiah of taking decisions that could weaken law and order in the state. He referred to the withdrawal of cases connected to incidents such as the KG Halli-DJ Halli violence and the Hubballi police station attack, stating that such moves would embolden anti-social elements.

The BJP MLA also took aim at Karnataka BJP president B. Y. Vijayendra, saying there was a leadership v...