The CM sent an open invitation to BJP leaders to join the state government’s protest in Delhi. “If you do not support the state’s cause, it amounts to betraying its people,” the CM added.
BENGALURU : Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said on Monday that the Karnataka government’s protest in New Delhi on Wednesday over the state losing its central tax share of Rs 1.87 lakh crore under the Modi regime is apolitical and not against the BJP.
Addressing reporters along with Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar, Siddaramaiah took a dig at state BJP leaders, including MPs and union ministers, for not taking up Karnataka’s cause with the Centre. He sent an open invitation to BJP leaders to join the state government’s protest in Delhi. “If you do not support the state’s cause, it amounts to betraying its people,” the CM added.
Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar categorically rejected the BJP’s allegation that the state’s resources are being spent on the implementation of the five guarantee schemes. They said this could not be related to the state losing its tax share from the Centre. “Karnataka government has the capability to manage its five guarantees. Let the Centre give us our tax share and we will manage the finances of our state,” Shivakumar said.
“Finance Minister Nirmala Sitaraman has every right to address the disparities. If she can announce the GIFT city project for Gujarat, why can’t she announce the same for Karnataka? We are all Indians, why this disparity?” Shivakumar said.
Asked if Kerala and Telangana will stage protests in Delhi, he said, “I am not going to comment on other states. It is natural for a baby to cry when it is hungry,” he said.
The CM sidestepped queries on whether he took other southern states into confidence over the issue and stated that he is only concerned about Karnataka losing its tax share.
“Our government’s protest is not a fight between Congress and BJP. It is to draw the attention of the Centre and the people of the country to the state’s predicament,” Siddaramaiah said.
He criticised Sitaraman for the rejection of 15th Finance Commission’s recommendation to allocate a special grant of Rs 5,495 crore to the state, in her interim budget. The commission had made this recommendation realising the fact that the state’s tax share was reduced to 3.74% from 4.71% (in the 14th Finance Commission), a reduction by 1.07% for four years (2020-2024) that caused a loss of Rs 45,000 crore in tax devolution.
“Nirmala Sitharaman rejected it. She also rejected the recommendation for Rs 3,000 crore each to the Peripheral Ring Road project and development of lakes in the final report of the commision,” the CM alleged.
Replying to BJP’s allegation that his claims are false, Siddaramaiah said the Centre’s documents itself prove the state losing its tax share
