Karnataka BJP Defends Union Budget Amid Congress Criticism; Claims State Received Surplus Funds

Bengaluru, Feb 3 (NationPress) In response to the Congress leadership's critiques regarding the Union Budget 2025-26 and Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, the Karnataka BJP stated on Monday that the state has actually received more than the allocated funds from the Central government, emphasizing that there is no basis for criticism regarding the Union Budget.

During a press conference at his office in Vidhana Soudha, Bengaluru, Leader of the Opposition in the Legislative Council, Chalavadi Narayanaswamy, remarked, "Last year, Karnataka was projected to receive Rs 44,485.49 crore from the Central government. Yet, the actual amount received was even higher — Rs 46,937.72 crore. Despite this, certain individuals continue to falsely assert that the state has received nothing."

"An additional Rs 2,400 crore was allocated, but they persist in claiming injustice. This is GST revenue. Has the Congress acknowledged anywhere that Karnataka received Rs 2,500 crore extra? Even now, they insist that the state has received nothing," he stated while criticizing the Congress-led state government.

"In the current year's Budget, Karnataka has been assigned 10 percent more than the previous year. This indicates that the state will obtain Rs 51,876.54 crore in funding. Given this, how can they assert that there is no advantage?" Narayanaswamy questioned.

"For railway projects in the state, Rs 7,564 crore has been earmarked. This sum is distinct from the GST revenue allocated to the state. How does Chief Minister Siddaramaiah allocate funds for Scheduled Castes in Karnataka's Budget? He claims that Rs 39,000 crore has been designated for SC/ST development. However, a significant portion of that money is redirected to fund guarantee schemes, effectively giving with one hand and taking away with the other," he explained.

He further added, "In one year, Rs 11,000 crore was taken; the following year, Rs 14,000 crore — a total of Rs 25,000 crore intended for Dalits was misappropriated. When questioned, they do not provide answers. In truth, such funds should be allocated to specific departments. Instead, they announce only a lump sum amount to mislead the public."

"The funds from the Central government remain within their respective departments and are utilized accordingly. They do not declare an overall amount," he continued.

"Opposing Congress's claims, the Union Budget is not crafted with a focus on a single state. Similarly, when the state government drafts its Budget, it does not distribute funds district by district. The same principle holds for the national budget — it is not presented by specifying allocations for each state. To claim that Karnataka has received nothing is absurd," Narayanaswamy stated.

For instance, the Budget includes financing for various projects in Karnataka: Rs 178 crore for the Channasandra railway line project; Rs 28 crore for the Kadur–Chikkamagaluru–Sakaleshpur railway line; a total of 22 projects in Karnataka have been supported in this budget, he added.

Union Minister of State for Railways, V. Somanna, has already addressed Congress's allegations.

Meanwhile, the middle class is highly satisfied with this Budget, Narayanaswamy noted.

"The Union Budget has garnered acclaim from various sectors. Citizens across the nation have expressed their appreciation in numerous ways. However, since the Congress government in Karnataka is opposed to the Central government, they are bound to criticize it. But their critiques lack substance," he remarked.

"The Congress may not have benefited, but the people of the country have gained immensely from this Budget. On social media, individuals have broadly praised the Budget as one of the best and most progressive in Independent India's history. They have openly commended it as a development-oriented Budget," he concluded while lauding the Union Budget.