Budget created discontent within Congress: BJP State unit president Vijayendra

B.Y. Vijayendra, president of the BJP State unit, alleged that Chief Minister Siddaramaiah’s latest Budget has failed to meet expectations and triggered discontent even within the ruling party.

Addressing presspersons here on Friday, Mr. Vijayendra said the Chief Minister’s 17th State Budget had raised expectations among the public but failed to meet them.

He alleged that the Budget lacked substantive measures to spur the State’s development and did not provide significant relief to farmers.

“The expectations of the common man have been belied. There is nothing substantial for the farming community, which continues to remain in distress,” he said, accusing the government of lacking a clear developmental vision.

Referring to the Kalyana Karnataka region, Mr. Vijayendra said it continues to remain underdeveloped despite being represented by Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Minister Priyank Kharge.

He alleged that Mr. Kharge has been focusing more on international issues than on the concerns of his district (Kalaburagi), and said the region continues to lag, underscoring the need for greater attention to its development.

On the bypolls to Bagalkot and Davangere South Assembly constituencies, he said the BJP has already announced its candidates and exuded his confidence of winning both seats.

Mr. Vijayendra alleged that dissatisfaction with the Congress-led government’s functioning has been growing over the past six to eight months and claimed that internal differences persist within the administration. “There appears to be a growing sense of drift within the administration, with internal power struggles continuing unabated,” he alleged.