Tensions flared in Karnataka’s political arena as BJP accused the Congress government of plundering SC/ST welfare funds for its guarantee schemes. In a direct appeal, Leader of Opposition R Ashok asked Rahul Gandhi why he’s mute on this alleged scandal.
Ashok laid out the charges meticulously: successive budgets saw ₹35,000 crore of the ₹42,018 crore SCSP/TSP allocation diverted, slashing development funds to ₹7,000 crore. This equates to nearly ₹39,000 crore pilfered from programs vital for Scheduled Castes and Tribes.
Labeling it a ‘methodical loot’ of community resources, Ashok slammed the treatment of mandatory funds as the CM’s ‘personal savings box’ to offset mismanagement in key welfare areas.
He took aim at Gandhi’s hypocrisy, noting the disconnect between national slogans of equity and Karnataka’s reality. ‘Does this fund raid embody Congress’s equality pledge?’ Ashok challenged, decrying the assault on legal rights through persistent freebie funding.
Over 70 outfits are poised for demonstrations, adding pressure on the government. Ashok demanded explicit budget assurances from Siddaramaiah to safeguard these allocations moving forward.
As accusations fly, this controversy spotlights fiscal priorities in Karnataka, bolstering BJP’s campaign to champion SC/ST causes in the state’s polarized politics.