Davanagere (Karnataka), April 1 Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Wednesday targeted the BJP, accusing it of consistently opposing welfare measures aimed at the poor.
"The BJP has opposed guarantee schemes because they are intended for the poor. They have always opposed programs that benefit the poor," he said, adding that the government has spent Rs 1.31 lakh crore on guarantee schemes, including Rs 535 crore alone in the Davanagere South constituency.
He was speaking to the media after arriving in Davanagere for a by-election campaign.
Defending the government's economic approach, Siddaramaiah said it follows the principle of "Universal Basic Income" rather than the "trickle-down theory". "Our policies are aimed at uplifting the poorest sections of society. Inspired by leaders like Basavanna, Dr B.R. Ambedkar and Mahatma Gandhi, we are ensuring direct benefit transfers without middlemen," he said.
Responding to allegations that the guarantee schemes have emptied the state treasury, the Chief Minister rejected the claims as baseless. He said the previous BJP government in Karnataka had left behind a debt of Rs 5.30 lakh crore by March 2023, while the present Congress government has borrowed Rs 2.56 lakh crore over four years. "Who has taken more loans?" he asked.
He also compared the state's borrowing with that of the Centre, stating that India's total debt has risen significantly during the tenure of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. "When the BJP came to power, the country's debt was Rs 53.11 lakh crore. Today, it has risen to Rs 218 lakh crore," he said.
On demands for a white paper on state finances, Siddaramaiah said the budget itself provides all necessary details. "The budget has been discussed extensively in the Assembly. I have given detailed replies. There is no need for a separate white paper," he said.
Highlighting economic indicators, he said Karnataka's growth rate stands at 8.1 per cent, higher than the national GDP growth rate of 7.14 per cent. He added that the state's budget size has increased to Rs 4.48 lakh crore, reflecting a growth of 9.14 per cent, and that Karnataka ranks second in GST collections and investments after Maharashtra.
He also criticised the BJP over rising fuel and LPG prices, questioning its governance at the Centre. "When the BJP came to power, LPG cylinders cost Rs 414 and petrol was Rs 71 per litre. Today, prices have increased significantly. Who is responsible?" he asked.