During a debate on the budget in the Karnataka Assembly, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah asserted that the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) were absent from the country’s freedom struggle. He emphasized that figures like Keshav Baliram Hedgewar and MS Golwalkar from the Sangh Parivar did not partake in the struggle despite its intensification. Siddaramaiah stated that the BJP’s claims to patriotism were unnecessary, accusing the party of fostering division along religious lines instead.
Expressing optimism, the Chief Minister predicted the defeat of the BJP in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, dismissing their slogan of “Sab ka ‘saath sab ka vikas” as mere rhetoric. He criticized the previous BJP administration for its lack of tangible progress, characterizing their tenure as one of looting rather than development. In contrast, he highlighted the Congress government’s implementation of guarantee schemes alongside developmental initiatives.
Comparing budget sizes, Siddaramaiah noted an increase in the current budget to ₹3,71,343 crore from ₹3.09 lakh crore in the preceding year, attributing this growth to the government’s commitment to development. He reiterated that the BJP’s governance was marked by corruption and inefficiency, contrasting it with the Congress’s focus on inclusive growth.
The Karnataka budget session commenced on February 12th.
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