Karnataka's Opposition Leader and senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader R. Ashoka on Wednesday, 30 September alleged that the state's finances have been pushed into a crisis under the Congress government, claiming that former Chief Minister Siddaramaiah alone accounted for ₹4,36,803 crore in borrowings — or 52.33 per cent of the total debt accumulated by all successive Chief Ministers combined. Ashoka made the allegations at a press conference in Bengaluru.

The Debt Figures

According to Ashoka, Karnataka's total debt stands at ₹8,34,677 crore. He alleged that Congress governments collectively borrowed ₹5,66,970 crore, accounting for 68 per cent of the total, while BJP governments borrowed ₹2,62,000 crore and the Janata Dal (Secular) (JD-S) tenure saw borrowings of ₹5,664 crore.

Comparing individual Chief Ministers, Ashoka cited the following figures: late J.H. Patel — ₹5,664 crore; B.S. Yediyurappa — ₹1,63,713 crore; H.D. Kumaraswamy — ₹1,01,419 crore; Basavaraj Bommai — ₹67,000 crore; D.V. Sadananda Gowda — ₹24,525 crore; late S.M. Krishna — ₹20,576 crore; and late Dharam Singh — ₹16,974 crore. These figures were presented by the Opposition and have not been independently verified.

Borrowing Limits and Current Year Projections

Ashoka further alleged that the state government's borrowing had already crossed the prescribed limit of 2.94 per cent of the state's gross domestic product. He projected that Karnataka would need to borrow an additional ₹1.5 lakh crore during the current financial year, warning that this trajectory was fiscally unsustainable.

Drought Relief and Farmer Distress

Shifting to the ongoing drought situation, Ashoka accused the Congress government of failing to meet Opposition demands for adequate farmer relief. He said the BJP had demanded a minimum of ₹25,000 per acre, but the state government announced only ₹2,500 for 50 lakh families. He alleged that ₹1,110 crore was being allocated to Bharat Jodo committees, while only ₹1,250 crore was being provided as drought relief to 50 lakh farmers — a contrast he described as a misalignment of priorities.

Ashoka also claimed Karnataka recorded a 36 per cent rainfall deficit, with the southern interior region facing a steeper 46 per cent shortfall. He raised the issue of farmer suicides and alleged inadequate state action against the microfinance sector. He added that ₹1 crore per Assembly constituency had been announced for drinking-water measures but had not yet been released.

Pending Payments and NICE Project Allegations

The Opposition leader cited the Contractors' Association as having sought the release of ₹38,000 crore in pending payments, with ₹260 crore reportedly pending towards ragi procurement. He also referred to the disappearance of Karnataka Rural Infrastructure Development Ltd (KRIDL) official Parvez Dharwad, who he claimed had written a letter complaining about non-release of grants and alleged workplace pressure.

Ashoka further alleged irregularities worth ₹1 lakh crore to ₹2 lakh crore in the NICE project, claiming the state could save ₹1 lakh crore if the new project were halted. He also alleged that Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar had 'joined hands' with NICE — a charge the government has not formally responded to as of the time of this report.

All-Party Delegation and Political Standoff

On the question of approaching the Centre for drought relief, Ashoka said the state government had not consulted the Opposition before deciding to seek Union government assistance. He stated the BJP was willing to join an all-party delegation to New Delhi but insisted the Union government should first hold discussions with all parties on the drought situation. 'We will go to the people, to the people's court,' Ashoka said, signalling an escalation of the political confrontation over the state's fiscal and agricultural crisis.

The Congress government is yet to formally respond to the specific figures cited by Ashoka. With Karnataka's fiscal position under increasing scrutiny, the coming weeks are likely to see intensified political and public debate over the state's debt management and relief delivery.