Former Chief Minister of Karnataka, Siddaramaiah has expressed his disgruntlement regarding the budget proposal presented by the current CM H D Kumaraswamy.
After the elections to keep Bhartiya Janta Party from forming a government in Karnataka, Janta Dal (Secular) and Congress formed an alliance and claimed the majority. Siddaramaiah resigned from the post of CM and H D Kumaraswamy took oath on May 23.
It seems the former CM is unhappy with the decisions made by the new CM and is not shy about criticizing him publically. Kumaraswamy proposed a budget declaring some changes in the ‘Anna Bhagya’ scheme. He proffered to reduce the quantity of rice distributed to the poor from 7kg to 5kg per head. He also proposed increasing the fuel prices.
Siddaramaiah seems upset with this budget proposal as he does not want the new CM to make changes in the Anna Bhagya scheme introduced during his reign. Congress is also displeased with the decision to raise the fuel prices. The party has been raising voices against the BJP Central government for hiking the prices of petrol and diesel.
Kumaraswamy is most likely to withdraw the budgetary proposal after facing a backlash from the alliance party. Keeping in mind Congress’ national stand, he might not make changes in the fuel prices as well. Though it does not mean he is happy being criticized for his decisions by the former CM. His aim in making these reforms was to generate money for farm loan waiver. He expressed, “I will consider the letter Siddaramaiah has written…If we do not hike the taxes, where will we get the money for farm loan waiver from? If this was an issue, why was it not discussed in the coordination committee meeting?”
BJP is exploiting the rift between the ruling parties and turning it to their advantage.