Karnataka BJP to hold protests against price rise, Muslim quota, MLAs suspension
Bengaluru (PTI): Aimed at targeting the ruling Congress, Karnataka BJP president B Y Vijayendra on Saturday announced a day and night protest against price rise from April 2, and a statewide awareness campaign after April 10 against the government's "unconstitutional" move to provide a 4 per cent reservation for Muslims in public contracts. He also said that the party will hold a protest against the suspension of 18 BJP MLAs from the Assembly, calling Speaker U T Khader's decision as "dictatorial".
"Some party leaders met and discussed several issues, especially about the state government's price rise. By increasing milk prices probably the Congress government has given a Ugadi gift to the public. We want to create public awareness and we have decided to protest against this price rise," Vijaynedra said.
Speaking to reporters here, he said the BJP will begin a day and night protest at the Freedom Park here from 11 am on April 2.
"All BJP MLAs, MLCs, former legislators, those who have contested Assembly polls, district presidents and state officers will participate in this protest. There will be a protest against this Congress government's price rise at all district centres on April 4 and at all mandals on April 5," he added.
Speaking about the suspension of 18 BJP MLAs from the Assembly on the last day of the legislature session, last week, Vijayendra, calling it "dictatorial", said this is not right and it is "unconstitutional".
"On April 2, all our MLAs and MLCs will stage a protest in front of Kengal Hanumanthaiah statue in the Vidhana Soudha premises. We will also be submitting a representation to the Speaker that day, because the Speaker's decision is an insult to the voters of suspended MLAs' constituencies," he said.
Until the Speaker withdraws his "unconstitutional" decision of suspending 18 BJP legislators, the party MLAs and MLCs will not attend any Legislature Committee meetings, he added.
Terming the Congress government's move to introduce a 4 per cent reservation for Muslims in public contracts as "anti Hindu", the BJP president said it was an "unconstitutional" move, and the state government cannot make such a decision based on religion.
"To appease the minorities, the Congress government and the chief minister are insulting the Hindus. The BJP strongly opposes it. After April 10, dates will be decided and all our party leaders and legislators will tour the state and visit all districts to make people aware about the government's Muslim appeasement and insulting Hindus," he added.
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Recurring delays in approval, fund release give perception of systemic inequity: Siddaramaiah to PM
Bengaluru (PTI): Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Wednesday submitted a memorandum to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, seeking his intervention on 18 issues, including the demand to give constitutional protection to Karnataka's 56 per cent reservation policy and release of deficit grants, among others.
Siddaramaiah also highlighted that recurring delays on the part of the Union government, in approvals and fund releases to the state, have created a perception of systemic inequity.
CM sought the PM's intervention for the inclusion of Karnataka's 56 per cent reservation for Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, and Other Backward Classes in the Ninth Schedule of the Constitution and inclusion of certain OBCs in the central list of ST.
He insisted on the release of revenue deficit grants, special grants to Bengaluru, and approval to the Mekedatu project, among others.
According to the chief minister's office, Siddaramaiah handed over the memorandum to the prime minister on his arrival at the city's HAL airport on his way to Adichunchanagiri in Mandya district.
"Karnataka has always taken pride in contributing to India's growth with responsibility and vision. However, recurring delays in approvals and financial releases have created a perception of systemic inequity. Addressing these concerns will reaffirm the spirit of true cooperative federalism and strengthen our shared vision for the development of India," Siddaramaiah said in the letter to Modi.
"The people of Karnataka look forward to your kind intervention in resolving these issues. I am certain that the Union Government will enable Karnataka to continue playing a transformative role in India's inclusive and sustainable development," he said.
"Our state embodies the aspirations of a progressive and inclusive India and remains steadfast in its commitment to the ideals of cooperative federalism," he said.
While Karnataka continues to be among the largest contributors to the national exchequer and a leader in economic and social development, certain long-pending issues require the Union Government's urgent attention, he said.
Pointing out that the railway coach factory at Kolar announced in the Railway Budget remains unimplemented despite the state offering 1.123 acres of land, Siddaramaiah said, reviving this project will catalyse industrial development and employment in the backward Kolar region.
He said that including the Bengaluru-Mysuru segment in the proposed high-speed rail corridor is essential for balanced regional development and enhanced connectivity. The state respectfully urges the Union government to expedite the release of committed Central assistance for the Bengaluru Suburban Rail Project and to initiate the Bengaluru-Mumbai High-Speed Rail Corridor, connecting key districts of Kittur Karnataka and Kalyana Karnataka.
The CM also sought the release of the pending central share of Rs 17,554 crore and resolution of policy issues, including support for retrofitting and augmentation schemes, to ensure universal access to safe drinking water under the Jal Jeevan Mission.
Regarding 15th Finance Commission Grants to Gram Panchayats, he said, despite fulfilling all conditions, Karnataka is yet to receive grants of Rs 2,860 crore for FY 2025-26. "Their timely release is vital for sustaining rural infrastructure and essential services," he said.
Karnataka seeks the centre's urgent intervention for the sanction and implementation of pending National Highway projects, Siddaramaiah said, noting that the State has not received any major new NH projects in the last 12 years despite its significant contribution to the national economy.
Regarding revenue deficit grants of Rs 5,495 crore, he said, "The State requests the immediate release of the pending grants recommended by the 15th Finance Commission to address fiscal imbalances and sustain developmental initiatives."
He also demanded a special grant for Bengaluru to the tune of Rs 6,000 crore.
He urged the PM to direct the Ministry of Jal Shakti and the Central Water Commission to expedite the appraisal and approval of the Mekedatu Project, envisaging 67 TMC storage for Bengaluru's drinking water, regulated releases to Tamil Nadu, and 400 MW hydropower, in line with CWMA referral and the Supreme Court's judgment dated November 13, 2025.
Siddaramaiah further urged the centre to release the announced Rs 5,300 crore Central Assistance and national project status for the Upper Bhadra Project under the PMKSY-AIBP scheme, to gazette the Krishna Water Disputes Tribunal-II Award and declare the Upper Krishna Project (Stage-III) as a National Project.
He also urged wildlife clearance for the Kalasa Nala Diversion Project, enabling the diversion of 1.72 TMC of water for drinking purposes under the Mahadayi Tribunal Award.
Other demands mentioned in the memorandum include: provision of dedicated financial support of Rs 5,000 crore annually for the development of the Kalyana Karnataka region, in line with the spirit of Article 371(J) of the Constitution; establishing at least one public sector undertaking in each of the districts of North Karnataka; expedited forest, environmental, and wildlife clearances for the nationally significant energy storage project, which will enhance grid stability and support India's renewable energy goals; and establishment of AIIMS in Raichur.
