Bengaluru (Karnataka) [India]: Karnataka Minister Priyank Kharge has accused the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of spreading false information about the misuse and diversion of funds allocated for Scheduled Castes (SC) and Scheduled Tribes (ST). He challenged the BJP to provide evidence to support their claims and demanded accountability from the previous BJP-led government.
Kharge criticized the BJP for making unsubstantiated allegations, saying, “BJP is spreading false information that the money of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes is being misused and the money is being diverted to other projects. They are not telling where and how it is being misused; they are not giving any clarification about it. They should answer about what they did when they were in power.”
He further alleged that funds under the Scheduled Caste Sub Plan (SCSP) and Tribal Sub Plan (TSP) were being misused in BJP-ruled states. Citing examples, Kharge claimed that the previous BJP government in Karnataka had diverted over Rs 10,000 crore meant for SCSP and TSP.
“The previous BJP govt is on record in newspapers and the floor of the House that more than Rs 10,000 crore (SCSP) Scheduled Caste Sub Plan, and (TSP) Tribal Sub Plan funds have been diverted and misused. Just look at how funds are being used in other BJP-ruled states. In Gujarat, they have made a movie about Vadnagar. In Maharashtra, they have used Rs 2000 crores for farmer loan waivers. In Madhya Pradesh, they are using money meant for tribals for cow shelters,” Kharge alleged.
Raising concerns about the treatment of Dalits and Adivasis, Kharge questioned the BJP’s priorities, stating, “Are Dalits and Adivasis in BJP-ruled states worse than cows? Is protecting cows more important than protecting the dignity of Dalits and Adivasis? The central govt is using SCSP and TSP funds to give compensation to telecom service providers…Modi’s model of development is clear – to leave out Dalits, Adivasis and SC/ST.”
Meanwhile, the Karnataka Budget session commenced on Monday with BJP leaders staging a protest outside the assembly against the rise in prices of electricity and milk, and the MUDA scam.