Bengaluru, March 24 (NationPress) The Karnataka government, led by Congress, has made a controversial decision to allocate an extra Rs 10 crore to assist victims of the Wayanad landslide in Kerala. This move has ignited fierce criticism from the BJP and JD(S) on Tuesday.

Bengaluru South MP and BJP Yuva Morcha National President Tejasvi Surya expressed discontent with the state government's actions, questioning its "sense of dignity and accountability." He took to X to voice his concerns, stating, "Is there any sense of dignity or accountability left in a Congress government that is accused of draining the lifeblood of Kannadigas to fund political interests in another state? This is the question being raised by people across Karnataka."

Surya highlighted pressing issues within Karnataka, including a drinking water crisis, deteriorating road conditions, and farmers facing distress due to rising debts. He questioned, "What moral right does the government have to spend crores of rupees of Kannadigas’ money for what is being termed as an election gimmick in Kerala?"

He further challenged Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, asking, "If this is not a betrayal of Kannadigas, then what is? Answer this." The BJP's Karnataka unit has also accused the Congress government of mismanagement and misplaced priorities.

In a strongly worded statement, the BJP claimed that essential salaries for guest teachers, Anganwadi workers, and Neeragantis remain unpaid, while Rs 10 crore is being sanctioned for landslide victims in Wayanad. They alleged that the funds are being diverted to the Wayanad Lok Sabha constituency, represented by Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi, to appease the Congress high command.

The party urged the state government to prioritize settling pending dues for contractors and compensating farmers affected by unpredictable rains.

Echoing similar sentiments, the Janata Dal (Secular) remarked that while thousands in Karnataka struggle for basic shelter, the government seems more focused on rehabilitation efforts in Wayanad. The opposition parties questioned the justification for allocating public funds outside the state, alleging that the decision was politically motivated. They accused Congress leadership of favoring electoral considerations over the welfare of Karnataka’s citizens.

The BJP further criticized the governance style as "high command-driven" and labeled the allocation a betrayal of Kannadigas. They noted that the state government had previously allocated Rs 10 crore to Wayanad last year, suggesting the move was repeated to placate party leadership.

In 2024, the Karnataka government had granted Rs 10 crore for the construction of houses for 100 families affected by the landslide in Wayanad. The Congress government has yet to provide a detailed response to these allegations.