Former CM Yediyurappa criticises Karnataka Congress-led protest in Delhi

Former Karnataka Chief Minister and BJP leader BS Yediyurappa criticised the ruling Congress government in the state for staging a protest in Delhi on Wednesday against the Centre's alleged financial injustice to Karnataka, stating that the Congress had no reason to protest and was merely attempting to create drama ahead of the upcoming elections.

He claimed that Congress had lost confidence and would face a humiliating defeat in the upcoming elections.

"There is no reason to protest against this (Union) government. They (Congress) have lost confidence, and they are going to lose miserably in the next elections. That's why they are resorting to these theatrics," Yediyurappa said.

The state government of Karnataka, led by Siddaramaiah, will hold a demonstration in the national capital on Wednesday, accusing the Centre of unfair treatment in the allocation of taxes and funds.

Meanwhile, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Tuesday exhorted people to participate in large numbers in the protest at the national capital against the Center's alleged discrimination against the state in tax devolution and grants-in-aid.

The demonstration is scheduled for Wednesday at the Jantar Mantar.

"Let us raise our voice against the economic oppression of Karnataka by the central government. Let's protest for our rights by participating in large numbers in Dharni Satyagraha tomorrow at Jantar Mantar, Delhi," Siddaramaiah posted on X.

The Karnataka Chief Minister said that the Congress government in the southern state will continue to raise its voice against discrimination in the fair tax share and grant distribution of Kannadigas.

"Chalo Delhi movement to condemn the financial tyranny of the central government. Tomorrow at 11 am at Jantar Mantar, Delhi, we will raise our voice against discrimination in the fair tax share and grant distribution of Kannadigas. This movement is not against anyone, it is for the benefit of Karunadu and Kannadigas. We request everyone to participate in this Dharani Satyagraha regardless of party affiliation," Siddarmaiah wrote in a post on the social media platform, X.

State Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar after holding a press conference on the matter at Vidhan Souda earlier today 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-19, we didn't get grants even during heavy rains. Rs 5,300 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" DK Shivakumar said.

Earlier on Monday, Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury, the leader of Congress in Lok Sabha, said there is a general perception across the nation that the non-BJP states are being deprived of their legitimate dues. The latest example, he alleged, is Congress-ruled Karnataka.

Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, rubbishing the Congress leader's charges, termed the allegations to be a "politically vitiated narrative" that is being propagated by some vested interest groups.

"Adhir ji, please understand I don't have the right to change as per my whims and fancies, that I like a state or another state, it is against my party politics. No way, I have no role I would have to it follow rules 100 per cent, and that's what I have done," Sitharaman responded, as she explained the procedure of how devolution of taxes to the states is decided upon by the Finance Commission.

"Finance commission gives recommendations which I have to implement, it is done without any fear or favour or anything like that. So this apprehension that some states have been discriminated against is a politically vitiated narrative, which I am sorry to say, vested interests are happy to go about saying it. There is not just a possibility that any finance minister can intervene and say 'I don't like this state, stop payment'," she added.

Devolution to the states happens in direct tax matters, as per the recommendations given by the finance commission.