BJP Seeks White Paper on Karnataka Finances, Flags Farmer Support

The BJP has demanded a White Paper on Karnataka's financial position, questioning whether the State's fiscal constraints have hindered assistance to farmers in distress. State BJP president B.Y. Vijayendra made the demand at a press conference in Bengaluru on Wednesday, accusing the Congress government of failing to extend meaningful financial support to the farming community.

Mr. Vijayendra described the government's approach as apathetic, pointing to a one-time subsidy of ₹2,500 for farmers as inadequate. He cited a recent Finance Department note that had cautioned against launching new schemes the State could not fund and warned against fresh borrowing, arguing that Karnataka's finances were in poor shape. Several legislators and Ministers had themselves spoken of the burden that guarantee schemes place on the exchequer, he noted, adding that a White Paper would clarify the true picture.

The BJP leader further alleged that public money was being spent on salaries and allowances for chairpersons of guarantee implementation committees, and on supporting Bharat Jodo Youth associations, despite the fund crunch.

Separately, Mr. Vijayendra announced a "Booth Vijaya Sankalpa Yatre" to prepare the party for upcoming taluk and zilla panchayat elections. Under the programme, State leaders will tour every Assembly constituency in Karnataka over the next three months, which he said would highlight what he termed the failures of the Congress government.

Responding to KPCC president B.K. Hariprasad's statement that the Congress would launch Bharat Jodo 2.0 from the Shikaripura constituency, Mr. Vijayendra said he accepted the challenge of retaining the seat. He claimed Mr. Hariprasad had never won an election and invited him to visit Shikaripura to see the development work carried out by the BJP.