Bengaluru, March 6 (NationPress) The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) conducted a demonstration near the Vidhana Soudha on Friday, claiming that the State Budget unveiled by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah resembled an "empty pot".

This protest was spearheaded by BJP state President and MLA B.Y. Vijayendra, along with Leader of the Opposition in the Legislative Assembly R. Ashoka, Deputy Leader Arvind Bellad, Chief Whip of the Opposition in the Legislative Council N. Ravikumar, and numerous former ministers, MLAs, and Members of the Legislative Council.

Demonstrators carried placards asserting that the Congress government had provided “empty pots” to the people of Karnataka and symbolically showcased empty pots throughout the protest.

They voiced slogans denouncing the government, accusing it of deceiving the youth and imposing a debt of Rs 3.5 lakh crore over the past three years. Protesters chanted slogans such as “Down with the government that betrayed the youth”, “Down with the government that amassed Rs 3.5 lakh crore debt in three years”, and “This budget is an empty pot budget”.

Slogans aimed at Chief Minister Siddaramaiah were also heard, alleging that he had handed “empty pots” to the citizens and specifically to Kannadigas. The protesters further accused the government of neglecting farmers, chanting against what they categorized as an “empty pot” for the agricultural community.

MLA and former Deputy Chief Minister C.N. Ashwath Narayan criticized the State Budget presented by Siddaramaiah, asserting that it lacks any reassuring qualities.

He stated that the budget does not cater to any sector, including quality education, quality healthcare, farmers, or the welfare of the impoverished and Dalits, leading to widespread dissatisfaction.

In response to inquiries, he mentioned that Siddaramaiah, who is regarded as a financial expert, has delivered a deficit budget, which is extremely disheartening. He also claimed that the Congress government has accrued Rs 4.40 lakh crore in debt since taking office without incorporating measures that could promote development.

MLA Sunil Kumar also condemned the State Budget, labeling it as an “anti-coastal” budget.

He accused the government of betraying the coastal regions, stating that numerous requests regarding coastal issues had been presented to the authorities.

“We had asked the government to prioritize tourism in the coastal area and offer a special package. Yet, the budget lacks a coherent plan for developing coastal tourism,” he remarked.

He further highlighted demands for establishing a medical college in Udupi district and an agricultural college in Brahmavara.

“Transforming the agriculture diploma college at Brahmavara wouldn’t require significant funding; only a government order was necessary. However, even that has not been fulfilled, resulting in disappointment,” he noted.

He also mentioned that during the previous government’s term, several vented dams were constructed as part of the West Flowing Rivers project in Mangaluru and Udupi districts.

“We had insisted on continuing the West Flowing Rivers project to enhance irrigation and groundwater levels, but this too has been overlooked. The coastal region has been entirely neglected,” he alleged.