A major political controversy has erupted in Karnataka after the ruling Congress government appointed party workers as office-bearers of a panel responsible for implementing its pre-poll guarantees. The opposition BJP and JD(S) have accused the government of misusing taxpayers’ money to compensate its workers, escalating tensions within the state assembly and beyond.
BJP and JD(S) question Congress’ move
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Janata Dal (Secular) [JD(S)] have strongly criticized the Congress-led state government, alleging that public funds are being funneled to party workers under the guise of governance. Protests erupted outside the Vidhana Soudha, with BJP MLAs staging demonstrations against the decision.
JD(S) MLA MT Krishnappa raised the issue in the Assembly, questioning why Congress workers were being given salaries and perks when MLAs and officials were already overseeing programme implementation.
BJP leader and Leader of the Opposition, R Ashoka, launched a sharp attack on Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar, accusing him of failing to differentiate between the party and the government. “How can you give taxpayers’ money to Congress workers? If you want to pay them, go beg on the streets. These Congress workers have been given cabinet rank, official bungalows, and offices,” he alleged.
DK Shivakumar defends appointments
Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar responded to the criticism by stating that Congress workers had every right to monitor the government’s programs. “It is the will of the government. The party workers who brought this government to power have every right to oversee its programmes,” he asserted.
Mr. Ashoka countered by asking if BJP workers could also be appointed to oversee Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s schemes.
BJP leader and former Home Minister Araga Jnanendra accused Congress workers of holding parallel meetings instead of coordinating with MLAs. “Don’t you trust us? We are already receiving salaries and perks for the same purpose. This is undemocratic,” he said.
BJP intensifies attack, alleges misuse of funds
Further intensifying its attack, the BJP claimed that a massive financial burden was being placed on the state exchequer to fund these appointments. BJP state president BY Vijayendra accused Chief Minister Siddaramaiah of misusing state funds, announcing that the party would submit a memorandum to the Governor.
BJP leaders alleged that Congress workers were receiving significant financial benefits under the scheme. In every Assembly constituency, Congress-appointed leaders were reportedly being given a salary of Rs 25,000 along with personal assistants, while the state panel president was receiving Rs 40,000 and vice presidents Rs 25,000.
“Every year, Rs 15-20 crore is being looted and distributed among Congress workers,” Ashoka claimed, alleging that state resources were being diverted to strengthen the ruling party’s hold.
Congress defends guarantee schemes
Shivakumar dismissed the BJP’s accusations, stating that the government had made a budgetary allocation of Rs 52,000-Rs 56,000 crore for its guarantee schemes, which constitute 20% of the state budget. He also pointed out that similar schemes were being implemented in BJP-ruled states like Delhi, Maharashtra, and Madhya Pradesh.
“Everyone from the Prime Minister to an MLA of BJP criticised the guarantee schemes. Irrespective of the opposition, we went ahead and rolled it out. The guarantee schemes will not stop as long as the Congress government is in power,” he reiterated.