Bengaluru (Karnataka) [India]: Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah presented the state budget in the Legislative Assembly today. Arriving at the Vidhan Soudha with the budget document, CM Siddaramaiah was accompanied by his cabinet colleagues.
Meanwhile, Leader of Opposition R Ashoka claimed that this is the last budget of CM Siddaramaiah, labeling him as the outgoing Chief Minister. Expressing dissatisfaction with the government’s performance, R Ashoka stated that the administration had not focused on development in the past two years.
“It is the last budget of Siddaramaiah. He is an outgoing CM. In the past two years, they have not done anything… There are no medicines in the hospitals. There is a hike in everything, whether petrol, diesel, milk… At least in this Budget, they should make announcements for development. That is our demand,” R Ashoka told reporters.
On the other hand, MC Sudhakar, Karnataka minister and Congress leader, criticized the BJP and JDS for protesting during the budget presentation, accusing them of trying to divert public attention.
Speaking to ANI, MC Sudhakar said, “BJP as an opposition, they have to do something to make their presence felt. People of the state know that all the guarantees have been implemented. Whatever Budgetary announcement we have done, in my department, whatever Budgetary allocation we received, we have implemented all of them. We have released all the funds… BJP unnecessarily wants to divert the attention of the people.”
Ahead of the budget presentation, JDS MLC SL Bhojegowda called for a budget with credibility. He acknowledged CM Siddaramaiah’s experience but urged for meaningful measures that benefit the people.
“He is presenting the 16th Budget; he is a very senior person. We appreciate CM Siddaramaiah, but at the same time, the budget should have some credibility… Do something for people,” Bhojegowda told ANI.
Earlier, the Karnataka Assembly passed the Bangalore Palace (Acquisition and Transfer) Bill 2025. This legislation enables the state government to drop portions of land needed for a road-widening project, following a Supreme Court directive to issue transferable development rights (TDR) worth ₹3,400 crore to the erstwhile Mysuru royal family.
The official notice submitted by CM Siddaramaiah stated: “I hereby give notice of my intention to move the following amendment to the Bangalore Palace (Utilization and Regulation of Land) Bill, 2025 (LA Bill No.5 of 2025), namely – Clause-3. In the said Bill, in clause 3, after sub-clause (5), the following shall be inserted, namely:- ‘(6) Notwithstanding anything in the Act, if any compensation has been paid in respect of any portion of Bangalore Palace land pursuant to any order or judgement of any court, the action of the State Government shall remain protected.'”
The budget session of the Karnataka Assembly commenced on March 3. Earlier, on March 4, the Business Advisory Committee led by CM Siddaramaiah approved a salary hike for state legislators. The Chief Minister stated that the committee would decide the duration of the assembly session.