Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar and other leaders on Wednesday arrived at Jantar Mantar in Delhi to protest against the alleged “economic oppression” of the south Indian state.
The Siddaramaiah-led Congress government in Karnataka has accused the Central government of economic disparities, saying the tax devolution policies to the southern state is unfair for ‘Kannadigas’.
“Let us raise our voice against the economic oppression of Karnataka by the central government. Let’s protest for our right by participating in large numbers in Dharni Satyagraha tomorrow at Jantar Mantar, Delhi,” Siddaramaiah had said on Tuesday.
Advertisement
Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah gave the call for the protest named Chalo Delhi. The demonstration is being attended by several cabinet ministers of the Congress government.
While speaking to reporters ahead of the planned protest, his deputy DK Shivakumar claimed that the state is getting 13 per cent of the dues they are supposed to get.
“We are asking for our rights, we are getting on 13 per cent of whatever percentage we are supposed to get. I do not mind if other states get the benefit. The policies, and schemes that they (Centre) have given to Gujarat, they should give the same to us also,” Shivakumar said.
Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge’s son and state minister Priyank Kharge said, “There are four to five demands. Devolution of taxes, we are not getting the drought relief amount…The centre should understand that Karnataka is an economic powerhouse…”
Meanwhile, the Bharatiya Janata Party Karnataka MPs are holding simultaneous protests in front of the Gandhi statue in Parliament over the alleged misuse of funds by the Siddaramaiah government.
Participating in the protest in Parliament, BJP MP Lehar Singh said, “Congress is involved in corruption and is not running the administration properly, they have come here because of internal disputes.”
(With ANI inputs)
Advertisement
