Karnataka Opposition Leader Demands Resignation of Chief Minister Over Financial Crisis
BJP leader R. Ashoka calls for CM D.K. Shivakumars resignation, citing financial mismanagement and unfulfilled promises in Karnataka.
Bengaluru, September 23 (Daily Kiran) : R. Ashoka, a senior leader of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the opposition leader in the Karnataka Assembly, has called for the resignation of Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar. Speaking at a protest near the Kengal Hanumanthayya statue in Vidhana Soudha on Wednesday, Ashoka accused the Congress-led government of failing to manage the state’s finances effectively. He criticized the administration for making grand financial announcements despite a lack of funds.
Ashoka asserted that Shivakumar is incapable of handling the finance department and should step down from his position. He stated, “You (D.K. Shivakumar) are unfit to remain chief minister as you cannot manage the finance department. Resign immediately.”
Referring to the state government as a “bankrupt government,” Ashoka highlighted a recent press release from the finance department that revealed Karnataka’s dire financial situation. He questioned the government’s practice of announcing significant financial commitments during tours across various regions of the state.
He pointed out that Shivakumar recently visited Mangaluru, announcing ₹32,000 crore in funding, while Siddaramaiah made a ₹40,000 crore announcement in Kalaburagi, and another ₹20,000 crore was declared in Chamarajanagar. Additionally, cabinet meetings have seen announcements of ₹25,000 crore and ₹50,000 crore in various locations.
Ashoka claimed that the state government is currently unable to provide drought relief and has failed to make timely payments to vulnerable communities. He noted that residents have been waiting for drought assistance for four months, pensions have not been disbursed for five months, and teachers have not received their salaries. Farmers are struggling without electricity, and milk producers have not received subsidies for a year.
He accused the government of making announcements despite a clear shortage of financial resources. “The Congress party has become hollow. It is merely a government of announcements, a façade,” he stated.
Addressing concerns raised by the finance department regarding new financial commitments, Ashoka noted that the department has questioned the government’s ability to make such commitments without adequate funding. He claimed that the state government is struggling to secure loans and that the finance department has indicated Karnataka may not be able to obtain further loans.
Ashoka also criticized the previous Siddaramaiah government for leaving behind a ₹22,000 crore deficit and for having ₹2 lakh crore in pending bills. He alleged that the transport department owes ₹5,000 crore and that payments for electricity subsidies are overdue.
He emphasized that while the government is making announcements in Mangaluru, Bengaluru, and other areas, it is failing to address its financial obligations. Ashoka accused the state government of prioritizing political expenditures over timely pension and drought relief payments, stating that while citizens are not receiving their pensions, “Rahul Gandhi‘s ATMs are functioning properly and on time.”
The protest saw participation from state BJP president B.Y. Vijayendra, opposition leader in the Legislative Council Chalawadi Narayanaswamy, and other party legislators and council members.
