Karnataka: BJP and JD-S MLAs Convene with Siddaramaiah Prior to Budget Announcement
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Synopsis
On March 6, Karnataka BJP and JD-S legislators met Chief Minister Siddaramaiah to request Rs 150 crore in annual funds for their constituencies ahead of the 2025-26 budget. They emphasized the need for increased funding for development projects in their areas.
Key Takeaways
- Meeting between BJP, JD-S MLAs and CM Siddaramaiah.
- Request for Rs 150 crore in annual constituency funds.
- Call for additional Rs 5 crore for constituency development.
- Demand for Rs 50 crore for infrastructure projects.
- Concerns over stalled development in opposition-held constituencies.
Bengaluru, March 6 (NationPress) Legislators from Karnataka's BJP and JD-S convened with Chief Minister Siddaramaiah at his office located in Vidhana Soudha on Thursday. They urged him to contemplate the allocation of Rs 150 crore in annual funds for the constituencies represented by party MLAs in the upcoming budget for the financial year 2025-26.
Siddaramaiah is poised to unveil the budget on March 7.
The legislators presented a memorandum, appealing to Siddaramaiah to utilize his discretionary powers for fund allocation. The delegation featured the Leader of the Opposition R. Ashoka, State BJP President and MLA B.Y. Vijayendra, senior MLA Arvind Bellad, JD-S floor leader C.B. Suresh Babu, among others.
They also requested that Siddaramaiah increase the current allocation for constituency development by an additional Rs 5 crore in the 2025-26 budget and announce it during the budget speech. Furthermore, they sought Rs 50 crore in grants for the enhancement of infrastructure, roads, and various development projects.
In their memorandum, they expressed to Siddaramaiah: “As you are aware, over the past two years, the absence of fund allocation for Assembly constituencies represented by BJP and JD-S legislators has stalled development work. These areas are falling behind in building roads, drainage systems, and crucial facilities such as colleges, hospitals, and school buildings. The lack of progress in constituencies represented by opposition MLAs has also resulted in embarrassment for your government.”
The memorandum further highlighted that residents in these constituencies are not gaining access to government initiatives like Gangakalyan, land ownership schemes, and fisheries programs.
“We trust that you share our concern that these constituencies and communities should not be overlooked,” it underlined.
Previously, a Karnataka BJP delegation, led by R. Ashoka and State President and MLA B.Y. Vijayendra, submitted a memorandum to Siddaramaiah ahead of the 2025-26 budget presentation, requesting a special grant of Rs 15,000 crore specifically for Bengaluru.
The delegation urged the government to include this special grant in the budget to accelerate ongoing development projects and initiate new ones in Bengaluru. They also insisted on an allocation of Rs 150 crore for every Assembly constituency.
The BJP advocated for the construction of at least 100 vehicle parking complexes in the city to tackle the ongoing parking challenges.
