Fri Mar 07 13:37:00 UTC 2025: ## Karnataka Budget Sparks Row: Appeasement or Progress?
**Bengaluru, March 7, 2025** – Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah presented a record ₹2.7 lakh crore budget on Friday, sparking a heated debate between the ruling Congress and the opposition BJP over its priorities. While the Congress hails it as a historic budget fulfilling election promises and prioritizing social welfare, the BJP accuses the government of appeasement politics, neglecting crucial development needs.
The budget, which includes a slight increase in borrowings to ₹1.16 lakh crore, allocates significant funds to minority communities. This includes ₹150 crore for state Waqf boards, increased honorariums for religious leaders (minimum ₹5,000 per month for Sikh, Jain, and Muslim leaders), and funding for Muslim weddings and cultural programs. These allocations have drawn sharp criticism from the BJP, who allege it is a “blueprint for appeasement, not progress.”
BJP state chief BY Vijayendra highlighted the plight of farmers burdened by debt and crop failures, while criticizing insufficient funding for rural infrastructure, SC/ST hostels, and skill development programs. He further slammed allocations to Moulana Azad schools, arguing that the government prioritizes vote banks over genuine development needs. Similar sentiments were echoed by BJP leaders R Ashoka and BS Yediyurappa.
The BJP’s criticism intensified, with spokesperson Pradeep Bhandari labeling the budget a “modern Muslim League budget,” referencing Prime Minister Modi’s earlier remarks on the Congress’ Lok Sabha manifesto. This criticism comes amidst ongoing national debates surrounding amendments to the Waqf Bill.
The Congress, however, defended the budget, highlighting allocations of ₹42,018 crore for SC and ST communities, increased reservation for their contractors, and substantial grants to other religious communities (₹100 crore each for Jains, Buddhists, and Sikhs, and ₹250 crore for Christians). Congress leaders, including Priyank Kharge and Dinesh Gundu Rao, dismissed the BJP’s criticism as politically motivated and pointed to significant investments in healthcare and infrastructure.
The budget also includes provisions for key Congress election promises such as ₹2,000 monthly allowance for eligible women, free bus rides for women, and free electricity (up to 200 units). A total of ₹51,034 crore has been allocated for these guarantees, while Bengaluru’s infrastructure will receive a significant boost with ₹7,000 crore allocated for this year, along with substantial funding for transportation projects.
Despite the controversy, the Congress maintains that the budget, while ambitious, remains fiscally responsible, staying within the acceptable deficit limit. The opposition, however, remains unconvinced, labeling it a betrayal of Karnataka’s future and a prioritization of appeasement over development. The debate is expected to continue as the budget progresses through legislative processes.
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