Empty Mugs, Coconut Shells Mark BJP Protest Over Karnataka’s Financial Situation

Bengaluru, Sep 23 : BJP leaders on Wednesday staged a protest near the Vidhana Soudha here, holding empty mugs and coconut shells to highlight what they described as the Congress government’s failure to provide funds for drought relief and meet its financial commitments.

The protest was led by Leader of Opposition in the Assembly R Ashoka and BJP state president B Y Vijayendra. BJP legislators and MLCs, including Legislative Council Opposition Leader Chalavadi Narayanaswamy, participated in the demonstration held near the Kengal Hanumanthaiah statue.

Addressing the protesters, Ashoka alleged that a recent communication from the Finance Department had highlighted the government’s financial constraints at a time when Karnataka was facing a serious drought.

He accused Chief Minister D K Shivakumar of making large financial announcements during visits to various parts of the state despite the Finance Department’s concerns over fund availability.

“The Finance Department has itself said there is no money. On the other hand, announcements worth thousands of crores are being made wherever the Chief Minister and other ministers go,” Ashoka alleged.

He further claimed that drought relief payments had not reached farmers, pensions had been pending for months, and salaries and subsidies were facing delays.

Vijayendra demanded that the Chief Minister issue a white paper on the state’s financial position. He alleged that the government had raised more than Rs 4 lakh crore in fresh loans and that Karnataka’s total liabilities had risen to around Rs 8 lakh crore.

The BJP state president also alleged that the government was continuing to make new financial commitments despite the Finance Department advising against taking up major expenditure projects without identifying adequate resources.

The BJP leaders described their demonstration as a protest against what they termed a “financial drought”, alleging that fiscal pressures could affect relief measures for farmers and other vulnerable sections.

The ruling Congress has rejected the opposition’s characterisation of the state’s finances. Shivakumar has said the Finance Department’s advice was aimed at ensuring prudent management of government expenditure and that the government would take a decision on which schemes should continue or be discontinued.

The protest comes amid an ongoing debate over drought relief in the Karnataka Legislature. The state government has stated that 177 taluks have been declared drought-affected.