CM Siddaramaiah slams BJP for ‘false narrative’ on Urdu, Kannada funding
Bengaluru, May 27 (PTI): Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Tuesday accused the BJP of spreading a "false narrative" that his government is neglecting Kannada and allocating more funds for Urdu, calling it not only untrue but a "deliberate attempt" to create communal tension.
His remarks came after the BJP Karnataka posted on 'X' that the Siddaramaiah-led government had allocated Rs 100 crore for the promotion of Urdu in 2025–26, while sanctioning just Rs 32 crore for Kannada.
"The BJP in Karnataka is spreading a false narrative that our government is neglecting Kannada and favouring Urdu. This is not just far from the truth—it is a deliberate attempt to create communal tension. It is unfortunate that a national party is behaving like irresponsible internet trolls, spreading such baseless lies," Siddaramaiah said in a statement.
Listing details of the 2025-26 allocations, the Chief Minister said Rs 34,438 crore had been allocated to the Department of Primary and Secondary Education, and Rs 4,150 crore to schools under the Social Welfare and other departments.
“That’s a total of Rs 38,688 crore—all meant for Kannada-medium education. In addition, Rs 999.30 crore has been set aside to maintain government schools and improve infrastructure. All of this supports Kannada education. So, when the BJP claims only Rs 32 crore was allotted for Kannada, it is a political lie meant to mislead the people," he added.
Siddaramaiah clarified that the Rs 100 crore allotted under the Minority Welfare Department is intended for upgrading Urdu-medium schools with better classrooms, teachers, textbooks, and infrastructure.
“This allocation is not just for promoting the language, but for the overall improvement of schools that serve a large number of students,” he said, adding that linking a language to a particular caste or religion is disrespectful.
“Our government respects all languages spoken in Karnataka. That’s why we have separate academies for Tulu, Konkani, Kodava, Byari, and Arebhashe — each receiving ₹80 lakh annually, along with additional funding for cultural activities,” he said.
For Kannada, Siddaramaiah pointed out, the state has a dedicated Department of Kannada and Culture, which oversees 14 academies, three authorities, and 24 trusts named after Kannada writers—all working to promote the Kannada language, literature, and heritage.
"For us, Kannada is not just a language—it is our identity, our pride, and our mother tongue. Our government has always stood firmly for Kannada, for Karnataka, and for our people. We will never compromise on protecting our land, water, or language. And we will never tolerate disrespect towards our culture," he said.
Siddaramaiah demanded that the BJP immediately issue a public clarification and apologise to the people of the state for its "divisive propaganda" and "attempt to mislead".
Claiming that only Rs 32 crore was given for Kannada is not just a lie—it is a betrayal of Karnataka. We demand that the BJP issue a public clarification and apologise to the people of the state for this dangerous and divisive propaganda, Siddaramaiah added.
.@BJP4Karnataka is spreading a malicious lie that our Govt gave more funds to Urdu while neglecting Kannada.
— Siddaramaiah (@siddaramaiah) May 27, 2025
This is not just false -- it's a deliberate attempt to incite communal hatred.
A national party behaving like internet trolls is deeply shameful. pic.twitter.com/eYSA3lGLbl
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UDF leaders see local body poll trends as pointer to 2026 Assembly elections in Kerala
Thiruvananthapuram (PTI): Buoyed by the strong performance of the Congress-led UDF in the local body polls, KPCC president Sunny Joseph said on Saturday that the front's results indicated the people had rejected the LDF government.
According to early trends, the UDF was leading in more grama panchayats, block panchayats, municipalities and corporations than the LDF.
The local body polls were held in two phases in the state earlier this week.
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Speaking to reporters here, Joseph said the people of Kerala had extended their support to the UDF.
"We could expose the LDF government’s anti-people stance and the people understood it. The LDF’s fake propaganda was rejected by the people. The UDF is moving towards a historic victory," he said.
He said a united effort, proper preparations, good candidate selection and hard work had resulted in the Congress and the UDF’s victory in the elections.
Asked about the prospects in the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation, Joseph said the party was studying the matter and would comment later.
LDF convenor T P Ramakrishnan said the results would be closely examined.
According to him, the government had done everything possible for the people.
"Why such a verdict happened will be examined at the micro level. People’s opinion will be considered and further steps will be taken," he said.
He added that decisions would be taken after analysing the results. "If any corrective measures are required, we will initiate them and move forward," he said.
AICC leader K C Venugopal said the results showed that people had begun ousting those who, he alleged, were responsible for the loss of gold at Lord Ayyappa’s temple.
"This trend will continue in the Assembly elections as well. It is an indication that the people are ready to bring down the LDF government," he said.
Venugopal said the UDF had registered victories even in CPI(M) and LDF strongholds.
"I congratulate all UDF workers for their hard work. Congress workers and leaders worked unitedly," he said.
Referring to remarks made by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan against the Congress on polling day, Venugopal said the voters had responded through the verdict.
"I do not know whether the chief minister understands that the people are against him. Otherwise, he does not know the sentiment of the people. The state government cannot move an inch further," he said.
He said the results indicated a strong comeback for the UDF in Kerala.
Asked whether the Sabarimala gold loss issue had affected the LDF in the local polls, Venugopal said the CM and the CPI(M) state secretary did not take the issue seriously.
"We took a strong stand on the matter. The BJP played a foul game in it," he alleged.
On the BJP's role in the local body elections, Venugopal alleged that the party operated with the CPI(M) 's tacit support.
"The CPI(M) supported the central government on issues such as PM-SHRI, labour codes and corruption in national highway construction. The CPI(M) is facing ideological decline, and the state government’s policies are against the party’s own decisions," he said.
Meanwhile, LDF ally Kerala Congress (M) leader Jose K Mani said the party could not win all the wards it had expected in the elections.
He congratulated winners from all parties and said the party would closely examine the losses and identify shortcomings. "Later, we will take corrective measures," he added.
Senior Congress leader and MP Rajmohan Unnithan said the trends in the local body elections indicated that the UDF would return to power in the 2026 Assembly elections.
"We will win 111 seats as in 1977 and return to power in 2026. The anti-government sentiment of the people is reflected in the elections," he said.
Unnithan said the people were disturbed and unhappy with the present government.
"The trend indicates the end of the LDF government," he added.
CPI(M) MLA M M Mani said the people had shown ingratitude towards the LDF despite benefiting from welfare schemes.
"After receiving all welfare schemes and living comfortably, people voted against us due to some temporary sentiments. Is that not ingratitude," he asked.
Mani said no such welfare initiatives had taken place in Kerala earlier.
"People are receiving pensions and have enough to eat. Even after getting all this, they voted against us. This is what can be called ingratitude," he said.
Muslim League state president Panakkad Sayyid Sadiq Ali Shihab Thangal said the results were beyond expectations.
"The outcome points towards the Secretariat in Thiruvananthapuram, indicating that a change of government is imminent. We are going to win the Assembly election," he said.
