BJP and JD(S) MLAs staged a protest at Karnataka’s Vidhana Soudha on Tuesday, accusing the Congress government of misusing the state’s tax revenue. The protest centered on allegations that the state government was mishandling public funds, which were meant for the welfare of the people.
BJP MLC CT Ravi, who participated in the protest, emphasized that the funds belonged to the public and were being misused. “This is the public’s money. The government is responsible for all the money of the public. The Culture Minister says we do not have money to promote Kannada, and the Cooperative Minister says there’s no money to appoint farmers. Is the money only for Congress Party workers?” Ravi remarked.
Leader of Opposition in the Assembly, R Ashoka, also criticized the government, claiming that Kannadigas’ tax money was being used to pay salaries to Congress workers under the guise of implementing guarantee schemes. “Kannadigas’ tax money is being misused to pay salaries to Congress workers under the guise of guarantee implementation committees,” Ashoka said.
In response, Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar defended the government’s decision to reward Congress workers with positions and benefits, stating that those who helped bring the party to power deserved to be accommodated. “There is nothing wrong in accommodating the party workers who brought the party to power. The committees are set up to ensure the delivery of the Rs 52,000-crore guarantee schemes to the people,” Shivakumar said.
Shivakumar also responded to concerns about the Rs 187 crore allocated to party workers, stating, “Let this issue be taken up in the House, we will respond. Let us limit ourselves to a discussion on the budget right now.” He added that the government was committed to supporting its party workers while ensuring the implementation of the guarantee schemes, despite opposition criticisms.
Referring to the BJP’s opposition to the guarantee schemes, Shivakumar remarked, “The guarantee schemes will not stop as long as the Congress government is in power.” He also highlighted the challenges of allocating 20% of the state’s budget to these schemes but stressed that the welfare of the people remained a priority. “The BJP is following our model in Delhi, Maharashtra, and Madhya Pradesh,” he noted.
Responding to Ashoka’s criticism of the payout to Congress party workers as “manehalu” (destroyer of homes), Shivakumar urged the Speaker to retain the term, stating, “They are using the word ‘manehalu,’ while we are helping build homes and families.”
