Karnataka Opposition Leader R. Ashoka on Monday mounted a sharp attack on the state's Congress government, alleging widespread financial mismanagement, a rapidly rising debt burden, and an unsustainable fiscal trajectory as power transitions from outgoing Chief Minister Siddaramaiah to Chief Minister-designate D.K. Shivakumar.

Ashoka's Core Allegations

Addressing a press conference in Bengaluru, Ashoka accused Siddaramaiah of having 'silently walked away' from what he described as a 'broken-down administration,' leaving Shivakumar to inherit mounting liabilities and a backlog of pending payments. He further predicted that the incoming chief minister would be compelled to impose additional taxes to manage the state's finances.

'The government is like an old, broken lorry. Only the driver has changed, not the vehicle. It is impossible to repair this wrecked system,' Ashoka said, drawing a pointed contrast between a change in leadership and an improvement in governance.

The Fiscal Numbers BJP Cited

Ashoka cited specific figures to press his case, alleging that Karnataka's total debt had climbed to ₹7.64 lakh crore against a budget size of approximately ₹4 lakh crore. He claimed the state recorded a deficit of ₹94,428 crore in the current year alone, leaving little room for capital expenditure.

He also listed outstanding dues allegedly exceeding ₹75,000 crore, covering payments owed to contractors, electricity supply companies, transport staff, and beneficiaries under multiple welfare schemes. 'There is no money left for development,' he alleged.

Guarantee Schemes Under Scrutiny

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader accused the Congress government of diverting funds earmarked for infrastructure toward its flagship guarantee programmes. He alleged that delays in disbursements under schemes such as Gruha Lakshmi, Shakti, and Annabhagya were a direct consequence of poor fiscal planning and that rising debt-servicing costs were crowding out development spending.

'The state is unable to clear its obligations, and the burden is being pushed forward,' he said.

Political Dimension: AHINDA and Congress Leadership

Ashoka also took aim at the political circumstances surrounding Siddaramaiah's exit, alleging that the Congress high command had pressured him to step down despite his identity as a leader from Backward Classes and his long association with the AHINDA coalition — an acronym representing minorities, backward classes, and Dalits in Karnataka politics. He alleged that the party had a pattern of sidelining leaders from these communities.

He further predicted that cabinet formation under Shivakumar would expose internal fault lines within the ruling party. 'After the swearing-in, internal differences within the Congress will resurface,' he said.

North Karnataka and What Comes Next

Rounding out his critique, Ashoka claimed that North Karnataka had been neglected despite multiple legislative sessions held in Belagavi, arguing that the region had not received its fair share of development funds. He concluded by asserting that the BJP would continue to scrutinise the government's public expenditure and debt management as a sustained political priority.

The Congress government in Karnataka is yet to formally respond to the specific financial figures cited by Ashoka. The leadership transition and cabinet formation under Shivakumar are expected to set the tone for the government's fiscal direction in the months ahead.