Bengaluru, 2 Feb

Congress in Karnataka would stage a demonstration in New Delhi on 7 February against the "injustice" done to the State by the Centre in releasing its share of central grants, DK Shivakumar said on Friday.

The Deputy Chief Minister said the Chief Minister Siddaramaiah would lead the agitation and 138 MLAs, the Congress MLCs and MPs will take part in it. “All the 136 MLAs plus two MLAs and the MLCs will reach New Delhi on 6 February and stage a demonstration on 7 February,” Shivakumar told reporters here.

He appealed to all the MPs to take part in the agitation keeping aside their political differences and party affiliation.

According to him, a letter has been written to the authorities in Delhi seeking permission to stage the demonstration on 7 February.

Explaining the reason, Shivakumar said, “In the last five years, Rs 62,000 crore of our money has not reached us. This reduction in Karnataka’s share of central grants happened even during the 'double engine' government when BJP government was in power both in the State as well as at the Centre.”

More than 200 out of 236 taluks in Karnataka are reeling under severe drought but yet the Centre has not sanctioned any relief assistance to the State, he said. He said fighting for the State's rights has become imperative in the given situation.

“The size of the Union budget which was 24.5 lakh crore in 2018-19 has doubled in 2023-24 to 45 lakh crores but the State’s grants have only gone up from Rs 46,000 crore in 2018-19 to Rs 50,000 in 2022-23.”

"Karnataka is one of the most progressive states with the second highest tax contribution to the exchequer. Though 27 of the 28 MPs from the State are from BJP, they haven’t been able to get justice for the State,” he said.

As per a recent survey, Karnataka was getting a share of 4.71 per cent as per the 14th Finance Commission but it has been reduced to 3.64 per cent in the 15th Finance Commission, he alleged.

“The Centre had announced Rs 5,200 crore for the Upper Bhadra project but no funds have been released yet. They had also promised to provide funds for Bengaluru Metro but nothing has happened. I have written to the Union ministers concerned but haven’t got any reply," he claims.

‘Always an Indian’

Asked about BJP seeking an apology from DK Suresh, he said, “I was born as an Indian and will die an Indian. BJP is trying to politicise the issue as Suresh was only warning the Centre that such a situation may arise if the injustice continues towards Karnataka and other southern states.” Salar News