Bengaluru, March 20 (NationPress) B.Y. Vijayendra, the Karnataka BJP President and MLA, expressed concerns on Friday regarding dissent within the ruling party concerning the Budget unveiled by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah. Speaking to the media, he noted a prevailing atmosphere of disappointment among members of the ruling party. “With an experienced Chief Minister presenting his 17th Budget, there were elevated expectations. Unfortunately, Siddaramaiah’s Budget has dashed the hopes of the state's citizens,” he stated.

He emphasized that the state has been grappling with stagnation in development for the last two and a half years, and this trend appears set to persist. “During the Budget presentation, I observed a noticeable lack of enthusiasm among the ruling party MLAs. Ultimately, Siddaramaiah's Budget does not align with the state's developmental needs. It fails to support farmers and has not created job opportunities for the youth. Feedback from various sectors indicates that this is a visionless Budget,” he remarked.

Pointing to Kalaburagi, he referenced Prof. Govinda Rao’s report, which indicates that development in Kalyana Karnataka remains behind. “The report highlights that regional disparity, previously at 65 percent, has escalated to 72.5 percent,” he noted.

Vijayendra criticized Minister Priyank Kharge, who often targets Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Central government, asserting that Kalyana Karnataka largely falls under his jurisdiction. “It is regrettable that, despite being in power continuously, the benefits have not reached the people in this region, especially the underprivileged, youth, and women,” he added.

He urged Priyank Kharge to prioritize local issues over international debates, specifically focusing on the challenges in Kalaburagi district and the Kalyana Karnataka region. “Enhancing the health and education sectors will not only benefit him but also the local populace,” he added.

On the topic of development, Vijayendra remarked that while political accusations are common, he had previously extended an invitation to Priyank Kharge for a public debate last month in Bengaluru. “Let’s discuss the development that occurred during B.S. Yediyurappa's tenure—what funds were allocated and what progress was made in Shivamogga and Kalaburagi? How much development has been achieved during your time in office?” he challenged.

He also mentioned that in Bidar, the district minister had successfully ensured the allocation of around Rs 15 crore to support flight operations. “If the state government or Priyank Kharge genuinely cares about the airport here, it could be resolved in just a few minutes. However, there appears to be a lack of initiative,” he stated in response to a question.

Additionally, he mentioned his participation in a party training program alongside senior leaders.