Should Karnataka Expect More? BJP Criticizes Siddaramaiah for Missing NITI Aayog Meeting

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Siddaramaiah's absence raises questions about leadership.
- The BJP's criticism underscores political tensions.
- Development opportunities were missed during the meeting.
- Political parties must prioritize governance over politics.
- Collaboration is essential for effective governance.
New Delhi, May 25 (NationPress) The absence of Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah from the NITI Aayog meeting has ignited a political uproar, with the state BJP accusing him of neglecting the state's interests by not attending this vital deliberative session.
The Chief Minister's office argued that Siddaramaiah was compelled to miss the meeting due to a prior engagement in Mysuru, but this explanation did little to appease the opposing BJP.
The rebuttal from the BJP was swift, with state president B.Y. Vijayendra expressing his discontent on social media, stating, “Karnataka deserves better!”
He characterized the Chief Minister’s absence as “a conscious choice to turn away from opportunities that could influence Karnataka’s future significantly.”
Vijayendra also criticized Siddaramaiah for prioritizing politics over progress by opting out of the Prime Minister-chaired meeting.
“A Chief Minister clinging to a precarious position, more interested in appeasing his leadership than in advancing the welfare of his constituents, continues to place politics above progress. Can effective governance ever flourish when politics takes precedence over the populace?” questioned the state BJP President.
He further directed his criticism towards the Congress government for its perceived shortcomings. “The Congress administration in Karnataka, unable to disguise its total lack of developmental initiatives, keeps blaming the Centre as if this will cover up its failures.”
“Governance is not merely a blame game or a litany of grievances; it is a collective duty based on collaboration and dedication to the populace. When PM Shri @narendramodi ji invites every Chief Minister to the 10th NITI Aayog Governing Council to contribute to a unified vision of a Viksit Bharat by 2047, our CM @siddaramaiah opts to abstain,” declared the BJP President.
Notably, Siddaramaiah was not the only Chief Minister from non-NDA states to miss the meeting; Mamata Banerjee of West Bengal and Pinarayi Vijayan of Kerala also chose to stay away.
Earlier, PM Modi presided over the 10th Governing Council Meeting of NITI Aayog at Bharat Mandapam, centered on the theme Viksit Rajya for Viksit Bharat@2047. The meeting saw participation from Chief Ministers and Lt. Governors of 24 States and 7 Union Territories.