“Are we here to eat peanuts? Our tax is being taken by other states," K'taka minister slams Budget
Bengaluru: Revenue minister Krishna Byre Gowda has strongly criticised the Union Budget for 2025-26, calling it “a black chapter” for the state and accusing the central government of sidelining Karnataka’s demands.
Gowda claimed that the citizens of Karnataka were being “reduced to slaves” as their tax contributions were funnelled into other states.
He highlighted that Bihar, in particular, has been allocated several new programs in the Union Budget, while Karnataka received no significant benefits. "Karnataka's tax money is going to other states. Bihar alone has got 5-6 programmes. Are we, in Karnataka, here to eat just peanuts? We should pay tax and get only chombu (empty mug)," remarked Gowda.
He further expressed his frustration, stating that the state’s people, who work hard and pay taxes, seem to be overlooked by the union government, which he claimed is more focused on Uttar Pradesh and Bihar. He also pointed out that Bengaluru, which generates jobs for people across the country, was notably absent from the Union Budget’s key allocations.
In a similar vein, Karnataka's Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar also slammed the Union Budget, calling it a “huge let-down” for the people of the state. “This budget is a big blow not just to the aspirations of Karnataka but to the very foundation of democracy, where a government is openly showing its bias against the people of a state, denying them their right to prosperity, equality, and development,” he said.
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Sujit Nair raises concerns over speculation of DMK-AIADMK understanding to block TVK
Chennai: Journalist and political commentator Sujit Nair has expressed concern over speculation that the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam and the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam could explore a post-poll understanding to prevent Vijay-led Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam from forming the government in Tamil Nadu.
In a social media post, Sujit Nair said the election verdict in Tamil Nadu reflected a clear public demand for political change and argued that the mandate should be respected irrespective of political preferences.
Referring to reports and political discussions surrounding a possible understanding between the DMK and AIADMK, he said he hoped such developments remained only speculative conversations and did not turn into reality.
Nair stated that if such an alliance were to take shape, it would raise serious questions about ideological politics in the country. He said TVK had emerged through a democratic electoral process and that the legitimacy to govern in a parliamentary democracy comes from the people’s verdict.
According to him, attempts to prevent an electoral winner from forming the government through unexpected political arrangements may be constitutionally valid, but many people could view them as politically opportunistic.
He further said that such a move could particularly affect the political image of the DMK, which has historically projected itself around ideology, social justice and opposition politics. Nair said that in ideological terms, the DMK appeared closer to TVK than to the AIADMK, and joining hands with its long-time political rival only to remain in power could weaken its broader political narrative.
He added that the same questions would apply to the AIADMK as well, as the party had spent decades positioning itself against the DMK and such an arrangement could create discomfort among its cadre and supporters.
Drawing a comparison with Maharashtra politics in 2019, Nair said he had expressed similar views when the Shiv Sena formed an alliance with the Indian National Congress and the Nationalist Congress Party after the Assembly elections.
He said post-poll alliances between long-standing political rivals often create a public perception that ideology and electoral mandates become secondary when political power equations come into play.
Nair also said such developments increase public cynicism towards politics and reinforce the belief among voters that ideology is often sidelined after elections.
He maintained that the Tamil Nadu verdict was emphatic and said respecting both the spirit and substance of the mandate was important for the credibility of democratic politics.
