Haveri, June 6: Former Karnataka Chief Minister and BJP MP Basavaraj Bommai has labeled the state’s financial situation as a “serious crisis.” He has urged Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar to release a white paper detailing the state’s economic condition. Bommai emphasized the need for transparency regarding the financial legacy inherited from the previous government.
Speaking to reporters in Shiggaon, Haveri district, on Saturday, Bommai alleged that officials, ministers, and legislators are facing accusations of harassment and corruption related to approximately ₹23,000 crore in pending contractor bills in North Karnataka.
He questioned how the government plans to address these issues and what the true meaning of the “system” that Chief Minister Shivakumar refers to is. Bommai noted that while the Chief Minister advised officials not to bypass the system, the government itself operates without a clear policy.
Bommai criticized the state government for lacking a definitive strategy for financial reforms. He insisted that the government should clarify how much debt it inherited from the previous administration, how much has been borrowed, and the purposes for which these funds have been utilized.
He further stated that the government must elucidate how borrowed funds are allocated, whether for capital expenditure, salaries, pensions, loan repayments, or guarantee schemes.
Claiming that over 90% of the state’s ₹4.5 lakh crore budget is consumed by mandatory expenses, Bommai questioned how the government intends to lead Karnataka’s development under such circumstances.
Reflecting on his tenure as Chief Minister, he mentioned that even during the COVID-19 pandemic, his administration maintained financial discipline, cut unnecessary expenditures, and managed the economic situation by preventing revenue leakage.
Addressing the agricultural sector, Bommai accused the state government of neglecting farmers’ issues. He expressed concern that internal political disputes and administrative chaos have cast uncertainty over the government’s commitment to public welfare, particularly regarding irrigation problems in North Karnataka.
He also raised questions about the water resources department, suggesting that Minister Ramalinga Reddy does not appear eager to manage the department, which is not a good sign for governance.
Bommai criticized the recent cabinet meeting for not prioritizing critical issues such as the availability of seeds and fertilizers for farmers. He reported complaints of shortages in several areas, with traders hoarding supplies and selling them at inflated prices. He urged the government to intervene immediately to ensure adequate supply.
He called for prompt decisions to ensure the effective operation of the agriculture department.
Regarding speculation about leadership changes within the BJP, Bommai stated that there are no discussions about replacing the opposition leader or state president. He dismissed such reports as baseless, noting that only organizational changes are being made to strengthen the party’s foothold among backward classes, Scheduled Castes, and Scheduled Tribes.
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