Massive Drama in Bengaluru as BJP Tries to Lock CM Office, Clash with Cops; Team Sidda Protests in Delhi | Centre vs South Updates

Escalating its attack on the BJP-led central government, the ruling Congress in Karnataka led by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah staged their protest “Chalo Delhi” in the national capital on Wednesday, alleging ‘injustice’ to the state in tax devolution and grants-in-aid over the past few years.

The protest by all Congress legislators and MPs from the state, including ministers, began at 11 am on Wednesday at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi. Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah along with his deputy DK Shivakumar participated in the protest.

Meanwhile, a massive drama unfolded outside the Vidhan Soudha in Bengaluru as a clash broke out between the BJP leaders and the police officials. According to sources, the police used water canons on the BJP workers as they tried to lock the the CM office. The protestors were later detained by the police.

“On the Karnataka Congress protest in Delhi, Karnataka CM Siddramaiah said, “We expect the Govt will listen to our protest and our main intention is to protect the interest of the state and Kannadigas,” Siddaramaiah said.

During their protest against the central government at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar, Karnataka Deputy CM DK Shivakumar said, “Karnataka is the second biggest state that is giving highest revenue to this country. We are asking for our rights, we are asking for our share. We have come here to show that we all are fighting here for the people of Karnataka.”

Meanwhile, Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan also arrived in Delhi on Wednesday against the alleged “injustice” and “stepmotherly treatment” by the Central government in the interim budget for 2024-25. Calling Karnataka’s call to protest against the Centre a move to highlight the financial disbursement disparity between North and South India, Kerala will also launch its protest a day later at the same venue.

Siddaramaih Calls For Protest

“Rallying against the Central Government’s economic disparities, we call for unity in ‘Chalo Delhi’ tomorrow at 11 AM, Jantar Mantar. We stand against the unfair treatment in tax devolution and grants for Kannadigas. This movement is for Karnataka’s rights, not against any individual. Join us in this crucial protest, transcending party lines, for our collective future,” Siddaramaiah wrote on a social media post on X.

Karnataka Govt’s Allegations Against Centre

Accusing the Centre of injustice to Karnataka in Tax devolution, State Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar said that the planned protest is not against the Bharatiya Janata Party and that all MLAs should forget party lines and participate.

“The entire government will protest, all MLAs should forget party lines and participate. We all have to fight together for the good of the state. We are in a union system. We have been cooperating with the central government, but we continue to be treated unfairly by the Centre. We didn’t get proper relief even during COVID, we didn’t get grants even during heavy rains. Rs 5300 crore was not given for the Bhadra Meldande project. This is not a protest against BJP. Instead, it is a protest against the discriminatory attitude in financial distribution and drought relief,” Shivakumar added.

Adding to Shivakumar, Karnataka minister KH Muniyappa said, “We are not angry with the government. Centre sent an expert committee to study the drought situation in Karnataka and has submitted the report. Ultimately, the Chief Minister met the Home Minister who was concerned about the drought situation and the Home Minister assured that they would release the money. Till today, they have not released the money. We have made all efforts to get the money. This is the last resort, we have to protest.”

BJP Clarifies, Calls Protest ‘Siddaramaiah’s Political Stunt’

Responding on Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah’s call for protest in Delhi, former Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai said, “Siddaramaiah is doing a political stunt. To cover up his financial mismanagement and failures, he is bringing a bogey between the centre and the state.”

“When we compare UPA’s and PM Modi’s ten years, there is an enormous increase in the funds. From 2004-14 UPA, the devolution of funds was Rs 81,795 crores. Between 2014-24, it is Rs 2,82,791 crores. Aid granted between 2004-14 was Rs 60,779 crores and between 2014-24, it was Rs 2,08,082 crores,” he said, adding, “Siddaramaiah is hiding this reality to cover up his mistakes. He wants to go to Delhi and oppose the government policy. He wants to make it North against South, Centre against state.”