Bengaluru (Karnataka) [India], March 12: BJP State President and MLA BY Vijayendra has criticized the Karnataka Congress government, led by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, for forming Guarantee Implementation Committees and using taxpayer money to pay their salaries. He described the move as a “disgraceful” act, particularly in light of the government’s inability to address other pressing financial issues in the state.
Vijayendra’s comments came during a BJP-JD(S) protest held near the Kengal Hanumanthaiah statue at Vidhana Soudha in Bengaluru today. He claimed that one person had been appointed per constituency, district, and state, with state presidents receiving hefty salaries and cabinet-rank status. He condemned the practice, emphasizing that it was a misuse of public funds.
The BJP leader also pointed out that while the government could not increase the honorarium of Anganwadi workers, teachers, midday meal cooks, caretakers, and ASHA workers, it was still using taxpayer money to pay the salaries of party-appointed officials. He mentioned that BJP and JD(S) members had raised these concerns in the assembly on Tuesday and were planning to bring them up with the Governor.
Vijayendra further alleged that the government had appointed the children of those who lost in the assembly elections as chairpersons of these committees, a move that he said had already been challenged in the High Court. He questioned why district commissioners and tahsildars were not being utilized to implement the guarantee scheme instead of party workers.
Highlighting the state’s financial difficulties, Vijayendra stated that nine universities in Karnataka had been shut down due to the government’s poor financial management. He claimed that the state government’s financial mismanagement is also curbing higher education opportunities for the poor, particularly with the closure of these universities.
Additionally, Vijayendra raised concerns about a senior IPS officer’s daughter traveling abroad multiple times and suggested that there were rumors of “royal hospitality” in Bengaluru, hinting at possible ministerial involvement in the matter. He also questioned the involvement of high-profile figures in smuggling, particularly in light of the recent seizure of 14 kg of gold.
The protest was attended by opposition leader R Ashoka, Legislative Council Opposition Leader Chalavadi Narayanaswamy, JD(S) Legislative Party Leader Suresh Babu, JD(S) Legislative Council Leader Bojegowda, and other BJP and JD(S) MLAs and MLCs.
Responding to the BJP’s criticism, State Deputy CM DK Shivakumar defended the Congress government’s decision to appoint party workers to these committees. He stated, “There is nothing wrong with accommodating the party workers who helped bring the party to power. These committees are set up to ensure the smooth delivery of the Rs 52,000-crore guarantee schemes to the people, but the Opposition is unable to digest it.”