Sat Feb 01 15:13:46 UTC 2025: **Karnataka Congress Slams Union Budget 2025 as Neglectful, BJP Lauds Pro-Poor Measures**

Mangaluru, February 1, 2025 – The Union Budget 2025 has sparked a heated debate in Karnataka, with the state Congress criticizing it as neglecting the state’s development needs while BJP leaders praised its pro-poor and pro-growth initiatives.

The Dakshina Kannada District Congress Committee (DCC) termed the budget “disappointing,” alleging that while states like Bihar received substantial grants ahead of assembly elections, Karnataka, a major contributor to the national exchequer, was overlooked. DCC president K. Harish Kumar specifically lamented the lack of a farmers’ loan waiver. Similarly, MLC Manjunatha Bhandary accused the BJP MPs of failing to secure adequate funds for the state, highlighting Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman’s failure to announce any new projects for Karnataka despite being elected from the state.

Conversely, former Karnataka BJP president Nalin Kumar Kateel lauded the budget, emphasizing its benefits for the poor and middle class, particularly the increase in the income tax slab to ₹12 lakh. He also highlighted the budget’s positive impact on the agriculture sector and welcomed the reduction of duties on 36 drugs and proposals for new cancer day-care centers in government hospitals. Mangaluru City South MLA D. Vedavyasa Kamath echoed this sentiment, projecting the budget as a catalyst for economic growth and India’s rise as a global power. He specifically welcomed provisions for MSME loans and support for women entrepreneurs.

The contrasting reactions reflect a clear political divide over the budget’s impact on Karnataka. The debate highlights the competing narratives surrounding the allocation of resources and the perceived priorities of the Union government.

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