Bidar: IT-BT Minister Priyank Kharge has launched a fierce counter-attack against the BJP for mocking the state government with the term 'Saalaramaiah' (Debt-Ramaiah). Speaking to the media in Bidar, he thundered that the BJP has no clue how to manage the economy of the country or the state.
1. Debt Burden is Due to the Center’s Injustice!
Alleging that the Central Government is directly responsible for the state's debt situation, the Minister highlighted several key points:
₹80,000 Crore Pending: Our share of ₹80,000 crore from the Central Government has not yet arrived. Borrowing has become inevitable due to this injustice.
JJM Scheme: We have borne the ₹15,000 crore share that the Center was supposed to provide for the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM).
15th Finance Commission: The Center has also failed to release the 15th Finance Commission grants meant for Panchayats.
2. What About Modi’s ₹200 Lakh Crore Debt?
Questioning BJP leaders, Kharge remarked, "Those who talk about our debt, why are they silent about the ₹200 lakh crore debt incurred by PM Modi? Is he also running the country only by borrowing? If so, does it take him alone to run the country that way?" He added that BJP leaders talk like small children and said, "Only God must save them."
3. 'Hit and Run' Doesn't Suit Kumaraswamy
Priyank Kharge also slammed H.D. Kumaraswamy over his phone-tapping allegations. "Kumaraswamy sits right next to Amit Shah every day. If he has the guts, let him demand an investigation and provide evidence. Simply doing a 'hit and run' does not bring dignity to the position of a former CM," he retorted.
4. Guarantee Schemes and Development
Responding to BJP's allegations that development has stalled due to the 'Guarantees,' he asked, "If the BJP announces a scheme in Bihar, they call it a 'Masterstroke,' but if we give ₹2,000 in Karnataka, it causes them agony. Which development project has stopped because of our guarantees? Hasn't ₹5,000 crore been released for the development of Kalyana Karnataka?"
5. Sarcasm Over Yatnal’s Prediction
Reacting to Basanagouda Patil Yatnal’s statement that this would be Siddaramaiah's last budget, the Minister said, "Yatnal doesn't even know his own future. Did he know his own party would expel him? The decision on who presents the next budget will be taken by Siddaramaiah or the High Command. Currently, no such discussion has taken place."
These statements by Minister Priyank Kharge have created a new stir in state politics, further fueling the fire of the "grants war" between the Central and State governments.