Rs 1,350 cr development push counters BJP’s 'no funds' narrative: CM Siddaramaiah
Davangere (Karnataka), Jun 16 (PTI): Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Monday laid the foundation for development projects worth Rs 1,350 crore in Davangere district and hit out at the BJP for its accusations that the state government lacks the financial strength to deliver on its promises.
Later, speaking at a public function, Siddaramaiah said, "In a single day, we have inaugurated and launched development works worth ₹1,350 crore. If we had no money, could this have been possible? The BJP’s lies stand exposed."
Targeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the CM said, "What use is a 56-inch chest when there’s no space in it for the poor and the middle class? His chest might be wide, but there is no compassion inside it."
Siddaramaiah accused the BJP of deliberately spreading misinformation.
"From the Prime Minister down to the local BJP leaders, they claimed that our guarantees would never be implemented. Today, all five guarantees are in force. People across Karnataka, including BJP voters, are benefiting," he said.
Highlighting Karnataka’s fiscal strength, he pointed out that the state now boasts one of the largest budgets and ranks second in the country for GST collection. "This proves our economy is growing and progressing," the chief minister asserted.
In a direct comparison with the previous BJP government, Siddaramaiah said, "When they were in power, not a single house was given to the people. Today, we allotted 1,892 houses to the urban working class in Davangere district alone."
The CM emphasised that his government’s goal is to empower all sections of society, irrespective of caste, class, or religion.
"We are committed to economic and social justice as envisioned by Dr B R Ambedkar. We don’t see caste or party lines when it comes to development," he said.
Siddaramaiah also challenged BJP state president B Y Vijayendra and Leader of Opposition in the Karnataka Assembly R Ashoka for a public debate on the state’s finances and developmental progress.
"If what I said about the Centre’s betrayal is false, I will never step on a public stage again," he declared.
The CM criticised the central government’s alleged apathy towards Karnataka, stating that the 15th Finance Commission had discriminated against the state to the tune of Rs 11,500 crore.
"The BJP government at the Centre did not release even a single rupee out of the Rs 5,000 crore it had announced for the Bhadra Upper River Project," he said.
Referring to the rising cost of living, Siddaramaiah blamed PM Modi for the surge in prices of fuel, gold, and fertilisers.
"Modi’s ‘Achhe Din’ is just a slogan. Has anyone seen these good days?" he asked.
Taking stock of recent electoral trends, Siddaramaiah said the people of Karnataka had rejected the BJP’s falsehoods in recent bypolls.
"In Shiggaon and Channapatna assembly bypolls, people defeated the children of former chief ministers. We also won in Sandur. We will win again in the next election," he added.
ಅಭಿವೃದ್ಧಿಗೆ ರಾಜ್ಯ ಸರ್ಕಾರದ ಬಳಿ ಹಣ ಇಲ್ಲ ಎನ್ನುವ ಬಿಜೆಪಿಯ ಹಸಿ ಸುಳ್ಳುಗಳಿಗೆ ತಕ್ಕ ಉತ್ತರ ನೀಡುವ ರೀತಿಯಲ್ಲಿ ಒಂದೇ ದಿನ ₹1,350 ಕೋಟಿ ವೆಚ್ಚದ ಅಭಿವೃದ್ಧಿ ಕಾರ್ಯಗಳನ್ನು ಉದ್ಘಾಟಿಸಿ, ಶಂಕುಸ್ಥಾಪನೆ ನೆರವೇರಿಸಿದ್ದೇವೆ.
— Siddaramaiah (@siddaramaiah) June 16, 2025
56 ಇಂಚಿನ ಎದೆಯ ಪ್ರಧಾನಿ @narendramodi ಅವರು ನಿಷ್ಕ್ರಿಯ ಆಗಿದ್ದಾರೆ. ಎದೆ ಎಷ್ಟು ಇಂಚಿದೆ ಎನ್ನುವುದು… pic.twitter.com/cQnUlyz0Ya
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
Have no personal involvement in Cong’s action against some minority leaders: Shivakumar
Bengaluru (PTI): Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar on Friday said he has no personal involvement in action taken against certain Congress leaders from the minority community following allegations of an internal conspiracy during the recently held Davanagere South bypolls.
He clarified that the decisions were taken by the party high command based on available reports.
Asserting that party discipline is of utmost importance, Shivakumar, who is also the Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) president, sought to downplay concerns that action against minority leaders may send the message that “Muslims are being targeted.”
“I don’t have any personal involvement in this. Whatever decisions are taken are made by the party leadership. The party has its own reports. Decisions regarding MLAs or MLCs cannot be taken at the state level without instructions from Delhi,” he said.
Speaking to reporters, he added, “People may blame me; I am not concerned. Everyone must function in accordance with party discipline.”
Responding to concerns within sections of the party that recent actions may convey the impression that minority leaders are being targeted, he said the Congress exists for the welfare of Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, minorities, backward classes, farmers, and all sections of society.
The Congress has suspended MLC K Abdul Jabbar from primary membership and relieved another MLC, Naseer Ahmed, from the post of Chief Minister’s political secretary.
The action followed allegations by a group of Muslim leaders that certain party members conspired to defeat the official candidate in Davanagere South.
Following the action, speculation has emerged that Housing Minister B Z Zameer Ahmed Khan may also face disciplinary measures during the next cabinet reshuffle.
The three leaders had reportedly sought a Muslim candidate for the Davanagere South bypoll ticket, which the party instead allotted to the late MLA Shamanur Shivashankarappa’s grandson, Samarth Mallikarjun.
They were also said to have not actively participated in the campaign.
Shivakumar also rejected claims of factionalism within the ruling party amid speculation that leaders close to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah were being targeted.
Naseer Ahmed and Zameer Ahmed Khan are considered close to the CM.
Rejecting allegations of factionalism within the party, Shivakumar said, “We speak to each other every day. It is the media that creates divisions. Where is my faction? Has anyone put up a board saying they belong to the Siddaramaiah faction? Have I put up any such board?”
“All 139 legislators are my people, and they are all Siddaramaiah’s people as well. Everyone belongs to the Congress,” he added, saying there are no factions within the party and that such claims are media-driven.
Public Works Department (PWD) Minister Satish Jarkiholi met Shivakumar on Friday, a day after expressing concerns that disciplinary action against minority leaders may send the wrong message.
Shivakumar said he discussed with Jarkiholi the need to decongest Bengaluru traffic by diverting vehicles entering the city from state and national highways, along with party-related issues.
“We also discussed political matters in the interest of the party and the need to work together,” he said.
Later, speaking to reporters, Jarkiholi said he discussed with Shivakumar the issue of withdrawing Jabbar’s suspension. He said he will also visit New Delhi next week to meet the high command and discuss state developments.
“Jabbar’s suspension was discussed (with Shivakumar). It should be withdrawn. Let’s issue him a notice and allow him to reply. Then let’s send the report to the high command and seek their approval. High command approval is necessary because the instructions came from there. It may take some time,” he said.
Stating that he met the KPCC chief for “damage control,” the minister said, “We have tried to convince him. Sometimes certain decisions happen that need rectification.”
_vb_33.jpeg)
