Bengaluru, Sep 23 BJP leaders on Wednesday staged a protest with ‘Chombu’ at Vidhana Soudha premises here, accusing the Congress government of “pushing” Karnataka into a financial crisis and “failing” on development, with Leader of Opposition in the Assembly R Ashoka demanding the resignation of Chief Minister D K Shivakumar.
The demonstration comes a day after the Karnataka Finance Department cautioned against taking up major expenditure projects at this stage, citing limited fiscal space and the need for a “realistic and prudent” approach to funding.
The protest was led by BJP state president B Y Vijayendra, Leader of Opposition in the Legislative Assembly Ashoka and Leader of Opposition in the Legislative Council Chalavadi Narayanaswamy with ‘Chombu’ (an empty, small, round water container) in their hands near the Kengal Hanumanthaiah statue at the Vidhana Soudha here. Several MLAs and MLCs also participated in the protest.
Addressing protesters, Ashoka demanded that Chief Minister D K Shivakumar resign, alleging that he was unable to handle the Finance Department.
“You are not capable of handling the Finance Department. Therefore, you are not fit to continue as Chief Minister. Resign immediately,” Ashoka demanded.
“DK is bankrupt! This is a bankrupt government. Today, the government in Karnataka has lost the ability to run the state. The Finance Department itself has released a white paper showing that the Congress government under D K Shivakumar is bankrupt due to a shortage of funds,” he said.
BJP state president Vijayendra has demanded that the Chief Minister must issue a white paper on the economic situation of the state.
“This Congress government itself is in the ICU. There is not a single rupee for development. There is no money today to provide relief to the poor or compensation to farmers. This bankrupt Congress government is merely spending its days by issuing advertisements,” he alleged.
Vijayendra further alleged that the Karnataka government was unable to provide pensions to persons with disabilities as well as old-age and widow pensions.
Calling the Congress government in the state “anti-poor” and “anti-people”, the BJP State President said that it will not be possible to expect any kind of development in the coming days.
“Chief Minister, you have only one more year left in office. Instead of making free speeches for the remaining period, tell the people what the actual situation of the state is,” he said.
The BJP demanded proper governance in the state and alleged that the Finance Department’s observations had exposed the government’s financial position.
The party also accused the Congress government of giving “false assurances” despite the state’s financial constraints and alleged that development in Karnataka was suffering.
On Tuesday, the Finance Department made the observations while examining a proposal for the Chief Minister’s Rural Road Connectivity Scheme, estimated to cost Rs 10,000 crore.
In a note on the proposal, the department said the project was proposed to be executed over 2026-27 and 2027-28. It said starting a major project for which funds had neither been budgeted nor earmarked could create cash-flow and fiscal-management challenges.
Acknowledging the Finance Department’s advice, Chief Minister D K Shivakumar, who also holds the Finance portfolio, said on Tuesday that there was nothing wrong with the department cautioning the government, as it was acting in the government’s interest.
According to the department’s assessment, Karnataka’s fiscal deficit for 2026-27 is projected at 2.95 per cent, against the 3 per cent limit permitted under the Fiscal Responsibility and Budget Management framework.
The Finance Department also pointed to the state’s existing commitments, noting that the balance cost of ongoing works exceeded Rs 2 lakh crore. Pending bills from four major departments Public Works Department, Water Resources, Minor Irrigation and Rural Development and Panchayat Raj alone amounted to Rs 36,136 crore, it said.
(PTI News)
