Cong govt pushed Karnataka into state of 'financial deterioration': Union Minister Karandlaje
Bengaluru (PTI): Hitting out at the Congress government over rising prices, Union Minister of State Shobha Karandlaje on Sunday accused it of pushing Karnataka into a state of "financial deterioration" and "looting" the people.
The Lok Sabha member from Bengaluru North said the BJP would hold protests across the state to ensure the government acknowledges the issues faced by the people and takes action to address them.
The state BJP has already announced protests in Bengaluru and other parts of Karnataka next week.
"The prices of all essential commodities are rising in the state. Before the Assembly elections, the Congress had announced guarantee schemes. Due to these schemes, the state's exchequer has been depleted, and no development work is taking place—whether it’s roads, irrigation projects, hospitals, or schools—everything is at a standstill," Karandlaje claimed.
Speaking to reporters here, she accused the state government of burdening people with "higher taxes" and highlighted the increase in milk prices, power tariffs, and bus and metro rail fares, among other things.
"The government has no money. Whatever money is there, they are either indulging in corruption or giving it to the guarantee schemes. Most of the people are saying that they don't want the guarantee schemes; such is the situation. This government has taken Karnataka to a state of financial deterioration," she claimed.
Alleging that there is a fight for the CM's chair within the ruling party, Karandlaje claimed that no ministers are holding review meetings in districts. "Which district has the chief minister visited and held a review meeting?" she asked.
The government is not making an effort to understand the concerns of the people, she said, adding, "We are at the end of March, and there is already a drinking water issue, but no one is addressing it."
"This is the worst government—one of maladministration and corruption. It is looting the people. We (BJP) will fight against it strongly. This government has shut its eyes and ears, but we will play the role of a doctor by ensuring that it sees and hears the issues faced by the people," she added.
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Ktaka CM inaugurates new Karnataka Bhavan in Delhi
New Delhi (PTI): Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Wednesday inaugurated the new Karnataka Bhavan building, 'Kaveri', in Delhi's Chanakyapuri diplomatic enclave.
The project, which was first approved in 2019, saw its cost rise to approximately Rs 140 crore under successive state governments.
The new structure replaces the 50-year-old Karnataka Bhavan building that was declared unsafe by the New Delhi Municipal Council. Originally known as Mysore House, it was renamed Karnataka Bhavan in 1973.
The chief minister said his government wants to provide better facilities.
"(Congress president Mallikarjun) Kharge said in the new building, the chief minister's room is good but not the MLA rooms. We will keep in mind your suggestion. We will look into it seriously," the CM said during his inaugural address.
Siddaramaiah noted that the state government would consider providing better rooms with sitting areas at the two other Karnataka Bhavans in Delhi.
He emphasised on better coordination between the Centre and state, as both frame laws in the concurrent list, adding, "Without state development, the Centre cannot develop."
The CM explained that although the project was approved in 2019 with a two-year completion timeline, it ultimately took seven years, with delays attributed to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Kharge, who also serves as Leader of Opposition in the Rajya Sabha, recalled staying at Karnataka Bhavan in Room number 1 for nine months during his tenure as labour minister at the Centre. He noted that while the new building has 42 rooms with better accommodations for ministers compared to MLAs, he has suggested improvements for the latter.
The Congress president also stressed the importance of maintaining food quality in the canteen and proper building upkeep.
He emphasised the need for a display board detailing the building's history, including the foundation stone laid by former Prime Minister Lal Bahadur Shastri in 1963 and its inauguration by former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi during S Nijalingappa's term as chief minister.
Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar, who arrived late to the ceremony, said he would address the changes proposed by Kharge. Public Works Department Minister Satish Jarkiholi mentioned that the state government is working to acquire land to build accommodations for UPSC aspirants from Karnataka.
Before the inauguration, CM Siddaramaiah met Union Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari to discuss pending state projects.
Karnataka MPs Jairam Ramesh and Sudha Murthy, state Ministers K H Muniappa, K N Rajanna, H C Mahadevappa, Karnataka's Deputy Leader of Opposition Arvind Bellad, and Special Representative to Delhi T B Jayachandra were among those who attended the event.
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