Karnataka Budget 2025: Protests by BJP and JD(S) Before Budget Unveiling

Bengaluru, March 7 (NationPress) The BJP and JD(S) members of the legislative assembly organized a demonstration in front of the Mahatma Gandhi statue within the Vidhana Soudha grounds in Bengaluru on Friday, just prior to the unveiling of the state budget for the financial year 2025-26 by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah.

The protest was spearheaded by the Leader of Opposition, R. Ashoka. Noteworthy participants included BJP state President and MLA B.Y. Vijayendra, Chalavadi Narayanaswamy (Leader of Opposition in the Legislative Council), C.B. Suresh Babu (JD(S) Floor Leader in the Assembly), and Boje Gowda (JD(S) Legislative Council Leader).

The legislators displayed placards with messages like "Zero Government", "Government that has not released funds for MLAs", and "Guarantee fraud". They called for the release of funds designated for development projects in their respective Assembly constituencies.

Meanwhile, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah engaged in a photoshoot at his residence with the budget copy in a handbag and posed with the budget document. His advisors and senior officials were in attendance. Subsequently, the CM arrived at Vidhana Soudha in a wheelchair and convened a special cabinet meeting to secure approval for the budget before its presentation.

Upon entering Vidhana Soudha with the budget document, CM Siddaramaiah gave a thumbs-up sign to the media.

On social media, CM Siddaramaiah shared, "In recent days, I have met with our cabinet ministers, senior officials across various departments, leaders from farmers, marginalized communities, minority groups, backward class organizations, and religious leaders from diverse backgrounds. By attentively listening to the concerns of individuals from all walks of life in a bipartisan spirit, I have aimed through this budget to address their needs positively. I view the budget not merely as a collection of numbers on paper but as a blueprint for shaping the futures of seven crore Kannadigas. Through this budget, I have made a committed effort to ensure that every citizen in the state benefits from at least one government scheme. I stand firm in this promise."

On Thursday, Karnataka BJP and JD(S) legislators had a meeting with Chief Minister Siddaramaiah at his office in Vidhana Soudha, urging him to allocate Rs 150 crore in annual funds for constituencies represented by opposition MLAs in the 2025-26 budget.

CM Siddaramaiah is set to present a historic 16th budget in the Karnataka Legislative Assembly. This budget presentation is particularly crucial due to allegations suggesting that the government’s guarantee schemes are putting pressure on the state’s economy.

The anticipated total budget size is expected to surpass Rs 4 lakh crore, increasing from Rs 3.71 lakh crore in 2024-25. The opposition has raised concerns that the state’s debt might exceed Rs one lakh crore.