Bengaluru, April 1 (IANS) Amid the campaign for by-elections, Karnataka BJP President and MLA B.Y. Vijayendra on Wednesday escalated his attack on Chief Minister Siddaramaiah over the state’s financial condition, challenging him to a public debate across districts and renewing his demand for a white paper.
In a statement, Vijayendra said, “If the state’s financial condition is truly strong, let us visit every district together. Let us stand on a public platform and discuss before the people how many have benefited from your schemes and to what extent farmers and the working class have been supported.”
He dismissed the Chief Minister’s defence of his record, stating that presenting multiple budgets cannot be considered an achievement. “Presenting budgets is not an accomplishment, nor is it a substitute for a financial white paper. The real achievement of this government has been pushing the state into a debt trap,” he alleged.
Vijayendra said the Chief Minister appeared “disturbed” by the demand for transparency and criticised what he described as a lack of understanding of the difference between a budget and a white paper. “A white paper presents clear and accurate facts without concealment. If needed, consult your department’s economic experts,” he said.
Raising concerns about the state’s finances, he questioned the government over alleged delays in pension payments to freedom fighters, claiming it reflected the reality of an empty treasury despite official figures suggesting otherwise.
He further alleged that Karnataka’s total debt had crossed Rs 8.14 lakh crore, with Rs 48,000 crore paid as interest in the 2025-26 financial year alone. “Debt continues to rise while development remains negligible. This points to financial mismanagement,” he said, accusing the government of attempting to shift blame onto the Centre.
The BJP leader also accused the government of diverting funds meant for the Scheduled Castes and backward classes towards its guarantee schemes, terming it a “grave injustice” to these communities. He alleged that policies related to internal reservation were creating divisions among communities.
Highlighting unemployment, Vijayendra said there are about 2.85 lakh vacant government posts in the state, with over 5,000 vacancies in key departments. He criticised delays in recruitment despite announcements to fill 56,000 posts, stating that unemployed youth have been forced to protest due to a lack of opportunities.
He also pointed to issues in the education sector, alleging that guest lecturers have not been paid salaries for months, and raised concerns over pending scholarships and the lack of hostel facilities for students from backward and minority communities.
On agriculture, Vijayendra said compensation promised to farmers affected by the Upper Krishna Project remains unfulfilled. He further criticised the expansion of liquor outlets, alleging it was an attempt to boost revenue.
Reiterating his demand, Vijayendra urged the state government to release a white paper on its financial position, stating that greater transparency is needed to address public concerns.
It can be recalled that amid the by-election campaign, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Tuesday strongly rejected Vijayendra’s demand for a white paper on Karnataka’s financial condition, terming it a reflection of “lack of economic understanding, administrative experience, and political frustration”.
In a detailed press statement, Siddaramaiah asserted that the State Budget presented last month itself serves as a “transparent and honest account” of the government’s finances.
He noted that the Budget had been debated and approved in both Houses of the Legislature, with opposition members raising questions that were duly answered.
The CM added that if doubts remained, he was ready to clarify and even engage in an open debate.
–IANS
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