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The Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) has leveled strong criticism against the Union Budget 2025-26, presented by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, alleging a complete disregard for the state's needs. KPCC spokesperson M. Lakshman staged a dramatic protest, presenting empty vessels at a press conference in Mysuru, symbolizing the perceived emptiness of the budget's allocation for Karnataka. This visual representation served to underscore the party's deep discontent with the perceived lack of investment in the state's infrastructure and development projects.
Lakshman directly accused the Narendra Modi government of failing to allocate any funds or approve any new projects for Karnataka. He particularly targeted Mysuru MP Yaduveer Krishnadatta Chamaraja Wadiyar, questioning the MP's effectiveness in securing crucial railway and road projects for the region. Lakshman's criticism extended beyond the lack of tangible results to highlight what he perceived as superficial actions, implying that the MP's actions were more focused on publicity than actual progress. The stalled expansion of Mysuru airport was cited as another example of unfulfilled promises, contrasting the MP's public statements with the project's lack of movement.
A key element of the KPCC's critique was a comparison between the treatment of Karnataka and that of other states, particularly those with upcoming elections. Lakshman pointed to the significant ₹78,000 crore package allocated to Bihar, a state holding assembly elections later in the year. This stark contrast, he argued, revealed a political bias within the budget allocation process. The argument was further reinforced by citing past examples of special packages granted to Bihar and Andhra Pradesh in previous years, raising questions about the implementation and efficacy of these packages. This comparison highlights the Congress's claim that the allocation of funds is driven more by political expediency than by genuine developmental needs.
The Congress also directed criticism at BJP MPs from Karnataka, accusing them of prioritizing their political agendas over the state's welfare. Lakshman contrasted this perceived lack of unity among Karnataka's BJP representatives with the collaborative approach of parties in other states, such as Tamil Nadu, where both opposition and ruling parties work together to secure projects for their state. This lack of cohesiveness within the Karnataka BJP, according to Lakshman, points to a deliberate undermining of the state's progress, driven more by a desire to oppose the current Chief Minister, Siddaramaiah, than by a genuine commitment to the state's well-being.
Beyond the specific criticisms of the budget, Lakshman expressed broader concerns about the country's burgeoning debt under the BJP government. He drew a comparison between the size of the budget during the last year of Manmohan Singh's regime and the current budget, highlighting a significant increase in the overall size, with a large portion attributed to loans. The sheer scale of the increase in national debt, contrasted with the debt accumulated in the decades prior to Modi’s tenure, serves as a potent illustration of the Congress's argument that the current government is prioritizing short-term political gains over long-term financial stability. This raises larger questions about the financial sustainability of the nation's economic policies.
In conclusion, the KPCC’s reaction to the Union Budget 2025-26 goes beyond a simple critique of the lack of funding for Karnataka. It presents a comprehensive argument that accuses the BJP government of political bias in budgetary allocations, a neglect of the state's developmental needs, and a reckless increase in national debt. The protest serves as a powerful statement from the opposition, utilizing a mixture of visual symbolism and statistical data to challenge the government’s policies and highlight what they perceive as a significant breach of trust with the people of Karnataka.
Source: Karnataka ignored in the Union Budget 2025-26: KPCC spokesperson Lakshman