Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah responded sharply to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent accusations, labeling them as false and intended to manipulate voters. He expressed plans to pursue legal action regarding the “looted” claims.
During a media interaction after attending the Kanakadasa Jayanthi event in Bengaluru, Siddaramaiah stated, “PM Modi is spreading lies to deceive the public and secure votes. We are assessing the legal aspects of this statement and are preparing to file a lawsuit.”
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Prime Minister Narendra Modi
Earlier this month, while addressing a rally in Maharashtra, Modi accused the Congress party of “looting” the people of Karnataka, claiming that the funds were being used for election campaigning in Maharashtra.
Modi had said, “In Karnataka, Congress deceived the people to secure votes. After forming the government, they failed to deliver on promises and instead began an extortion campaign. Scams are being uncovered regularly, exposing how Congress is robbing people openly. Allegedly, they are using this stolen money for elections in Maharashtra. To protect Maharashtra, we must keep Congress out.”
Siddaramaiah also criticized Union Minister HD Kumaraswamy for failing to represent the state’s interests concerning tax devolution. He questioned Kumaraswamy’s moral standing and his record on advocating for Karnataka.
“Has HD Kumaraswamy benefited the poor in any way? What moral authority does he have? The central government is withholding our rightful share, and he has never raised his voice for Karnataka on tax devolution issues. NABARD is under the Union Finance Minister, and I had written to both the PM and Union Finance Minister, urging them not to take such actions,” he remarked.
Previously, on November 1, Siddaramaiah had expressed discontent over the state’s treatment in the matter of tax devolution, stating that despite Karnataka’s tax contributions, it was not receiving its fair share.
“Karnataka has been wronged in tax devolution. We contribute 4 lakh crores in taxes, second only to Maharashtra, but we receive much less in return,” he had said during the Rajyotsava Day celebrations in Bengaluru.
