BJP 'favours only rich' while we care for poor: CM Siddaramaiah
Davanagere (Karnataka) (PTI): Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Thursday launched a sharp attack on the BJP, accusing it of "favouring the rich", while asserting that his government stands firmly with the poor.
Interacting with reporters after a campaign event in Davanagere South constituency, Siddaramaiah said the BJP subscribes to an economic model that benefits the wealthy, while the Congress government is committed to welfare measures aimed at uplifting the underprivileged.
“There are two economic theories – Trickle down theory and Universal Basic Income theory. BJP supports trickle-down—meaning they favour the rich. While we believe in Universal Basic Income, which supports the poor,” he said.
The CM said the public response to the ongoing campaign had exceeded expectations and reflected growing awareness among voters.
“In the campaign, people are responding beyond our expectations. People have realised that the BJP, despite being in power for four years, did nothing,” he said, alleging that the previous government “carried out no development work and only looted the state.”
Defending the government’s flagship guarantee schemes, Siddaramaiah said they have been implemented successfully over the past three years and have restored public confidence.
“Every year, we are spending around Rs 52,000 crore. Up to March 31, Rs 1.31 lakh crore has been spent. So there is no question about these schemes—we will continue them,” he said, dismissing the BJP’s claims that the programmes would bankrupt the state.
Rejecting criticism over rising debt, he said borrowings remain well within permissible limits. He added that the state’s fiscal deficit is also under control at 2.95 per cent, in line with the Fiscal Responsibility Act norms.
The Chief Minister attributed the revenue deficit to reduced central transfers rather than welfare spending.
According to him, Karnataka lost around Rs 10,000 crore due to changes in GST implementation and the Centre had not released Rs 11,495 crore in dues and grants.
On allegations of corruption in welfare schemes, Siddaramaiah said the charges were "baseless" as funds are directly transferred to beneficiaries.
“The money is directly transferred to beneficiaries’ accounts. Where is the scope for bribes?” he said, citing the Gruha Lakshmi scheme under which Rs 2,000 is credited to women beneficiaries.
He also countered claims regarding unpaid dues to contractors, saying the previous BJP government had left behind significant liabilities.
“They left Rs 29,000 crore unpaid. We have already cleared Rs 24,000 crore,” he said.
Responding to BJP state president B Y Vijayendra’s demands for a White Paper on the state’s finances, Siddaramaiah said all details had already been presented in the Budget and debated in the Assembly.
“Why ask for a White Paper again? Isn’t the Budget itself a White Paper?” he said, adding that he had replied to the discussion for over four-and-a-half hours.
On fuel pricing amid global uncertainties, including tensions involving Iran, the Chief Minister said petroleum pricing is under the Centre’s purview.
Reaffirming the government’s stand on social justice, Siddaramaiah said it is committed to internal reservation and criticised the BJP’s stance on AHINDA, which is an acronym for minorities, backward and Dalits.
“When did the BJP ever show concern for AHINDA? They only talk about Hindutva,” he said.
On employment, the CM announced that large-scale recruitment would continue despite concerns over finances.
“This year, we will fill 56,432 posts. Around 2.5 lakh vacant posts will be filled,” he said.
Addressing concerns over the functioning of the Karnataka Public Service Commission, Siddaramaiah said it is an independent body and that certain interviews were postponed to ensure transparency and proper procedure.
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Hormuz Strait disruptions have caused huge economic impact, energy instability in region: Navy chief
Mumbai (PTI): The Strait of Hormuz disruptions have caused severe economic impact and energy instability in the region, Indian Navy chief Admiral D K Tripathi said on Thursday amid the war in West Asia.
Speaking at an event where INS Sunayna, an offshore patrol vessel, set sail from Mumbai as Indian Ocean Ship (IOS) Sagar, the admiral said competition at sea has no longer remained confined to oil and energy.
It is now expanding towards resources that will shape future growth - such as rare earth elements, critical minerals, new fishing grounds and even data, he said.
The West Asia crisis began on February 28 after a joint attack by the US and Israel on Iran.
Iran's strikes on its neighbours along with its chokehold on the Strait of Hormuz have disrupted the world's energy supplies with effects far beyond West Asia.
"With the conflict in West Asia well into its fifth week, the disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz have caused severe economic impact and energy instability in the region," Tripathi said.
There is significant increase in the marine survey, deep-sea research activity, and Illegal Unreported and Unregulated Fishing (IUU), often encroaching upon the sovereign rights of littoral nations and exploiting gaps in monitoring and enforcement, he said.
Alongside these, threats such as piracy, armed robbery and narco-trafficking backed by unimpeded access of advanced technology to non-state actors, have also become more complex and challenging to counter, the Navy chief pointed out.
Last year alone, the Indian Ocean Region witnessed a staggering 3,700 maritime incidents of varying nature, the admiral said.
Additionally, narcotics seizures in the region exceeded USD 1 billion USD in 2025, highlighting the persistence and spread of such challenges in the region, he said.
