Opposition Leader R. Ashoka Calls Karnataka Budget Anti-People and Pro-Muslim

Bengaluru, March 7 (NationPress) The Congress-led administration has unveiled a budget that is anti-people and pro-Muslim, simultaneously incurring a record loan of Rs 1.16 lakh crore, setting a new debt record in Karnataka’s history, stated the Leader of the Opposition, R. Ashoka.

In a press conference following the budget announcement, he criticized Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, asserting that this is his final budget, yet it fails to present any new initiatives. Rather, the government has simply extended existing programs without introducing any innovative plans.

Ashoka noted that crucial irrigation projects in North Karnataka and Old Mysore have been delayed, stating their continuation depends on central government approval. “This is merely a waste of time, as no definitive actions have been taken,” he said.

Moreover, the government has set an ambitious target of Rs 60,000 crore for the excise department and announced new bars and liquor outlets. He claimed this tactic was designed to pacify Congress MLAs by generating an additional Rs 40,000 crore in revenue from liquor sales.

“The government has shifted from ‘Anna Bhagya’ (free food scheme) to ‘Liquor Bhagya’ (liquor scheme). They are increasing liquor revenue by Rs 4,000-5,000 crore to offset financial mismanagement,” Ashoka criticized.

He warned that similar to the previous year, the government may increase taxes after the budget, despite no tax hikes being mentioned during the budget speech.

He contrasted this with BJP’s Basavaraj Bommai’s budget, which was a surplus budget, while the Congress budget is laden with deficits. He highlighted that the 193-page budget document is devoid of any innovative measures.

“This budget is primarily aimed at repaying the support from the Muslim community’s votes,” he asserted.

Ashoka also lambasted the Rs 40,000 crore allocation for tunnel projects in Bengaluru, deeming it an unrealistic election ploy.

He emphasized that the Peripheral Ring Road (PRR) has yet to be completed, and implementing tunnel projects is impractical.

“Instead of tackling Bengaluru’s genuine issues such as potholes and garbage management, the government is attempting to mislead the public with such empty promises. This is nothing but an election stunt,” he concluded.

The budget presented by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, who also manages the finance portfolio, has not met the expectations of Karnataka’s citizens, remarked Karnataka BJP President and MLA B.Y. Vijayendra.

Critiquing the budget, Vijayendra stated that rather than announcing well-defined schemes with adequate funding, the CM has made empty promises to mislead the populace.

Vijayendra accused the budget of primarily appeasing the Muslim community under the pretense of minority welfare. He condemned the absence of a comprehensive strategy for the education sector and the lack of incentives for industries capable of creating employment opportunities.

The BJP leader accused Siddaramaiah of exploiting backward communities as a political tool while contributing little to their actual advancement.

“Despite frequently referencing the Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, and Other Backward Classes, the CM has failed to launch any significant programs for their upliftment. Moreover, the funds allocated in the previous budget for various backward-class corporations have not been fully utilized,” he claimed.

Lastly, Vijayendra criticized the government for lacking clarity on resource mobilization, particularly in terms of funding new initiatives and managing the worsening economic situation. He asserted that this budget is merely a showpiece, intended to deceive the public rather than provide genuine solutions.