BJP Leader Blasts Karnataka CM Over Budget Criticism

Bengaluru- Karnataka BJP chief B.Y. Vijayendra strongly rebuked Chief Minister Siddaramaiah's criticism of the Union Budget 2025, calling it "purely politically motivated." Vijayendra accused the Congress-led state government of creating political anarchy and burdening people with excessive taxation, while contrasting it with what he described as the Centre's visionary budget aimed at building a developed India through reduced prices on essential goods including medicines, electronics, and leather.

The BJP state chief highlighted several key features of Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman's eighth consecutive budget, including increased loan facilities for the Scheduled Caste community, tax exemptions for incomes up to Rs 12 lakh, and an enhanced Kisan Credit Card limit from Rs 3 lakh to Rs 5 lakh benefiting over 7 crore farmers. He also emphasized new initiatives such as the Pradhan Mantri Dhan-Dhanya Yojana for 1.7 crore farmers, a special startup fund of Rs 10,000 crore, and a scheme to support 5 lakh women from Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes in starting their own businesses.

Vijayendra accused Siddaramaiah's administration of pushing Karnataka, traditionally a resource-wealthy state, into decline. Rather than engaging in what he termed "low-level criticism" of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government, the BJP leader urged the state government to cooperate with the Centre's development programs to build a more prosperous Karnataka.