All about CM Siddaramaiah’s #AnswerMadiModi campaign, and why it’s riling Union ministers

Through a series of tweets, the chief minister not only highlighted the urgency of addressing the pending grants that affect Karnataka but also underscored a broader concern regarding the fair distribution of resources among states.

With the hashtag gaining momentum, Siddaramaiah’s campaign is emerging as a powerful tool to initiate dialogue and demand answers from the Union government, notably Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on matters of fiscal fairness and regional parity.

The #AnswerMadiModi initiative would likely to continue till the completion of the Lok Sabha elections in 2024. It would question the alleged injustice being meted out to Karnataka and its language, the Chief Minister’s Office (CMO) said.

Responding to Siddaramaiah’s campaign, Union Minister Shekhawat said: “The Congress is known for spreading falsehood and misinformation.”

Also read: CM attacks Modi over alleged delay in providing drought relief

The campaign

The CMO said the campaign would intensify after Wednesday, 1 November.

Launching the campaign, Siddaramaiah, on his official X (formerly Twitter) account highlighted various issues, including the Union government not extending drought relief to Karnataka, whereas the BJP-ruled states such as Maharashtra, and Gujarat have been granted ample funds.

He also pointed out the pending major irrigation projects, lack of grants for 61 crucial Union government-sponsored programmes, reducing the state’s tax share from 4.72 percent to 3.64 percent, rejecting the special grant proposal of the 15th Finance Commission, a disparity in tax devolution, and the dragging AIIMS project in Karnataka.

In 2022, the BJP Union Government had assured Kannadigas to establish an AIIMS in Karnataka in Bengaluru. Unfortunately, people are still waiting for it to progress beyond words.

Dear Prime Minister,
I have written to your government’s officials twice, urging for the… pic.twitter.com/xDPJ0jngmH

— Siddaramaiah (@siddaramaiah) October 30, 2023

“This is not the first time that we are running such a campaign. We had a similar campaign even before the Assembly elections. The intention is to highlight the injustice being meted out by the Union government to Karnataka over the past few years,” a CMO official told South First on the condition of anonymity.

“We launched this campaign since the Suvarna Karnataka (commemoration of 50th Karnataka Rajyotsava) celebrations are nearing. This will be intensified after 1 November, and we will highlight the injustice being meted out to Kannada language, our flag, and issues related to reservations, which require a Constitutional amendment,” the official elaborated.

“The BJP sees a greater threat from regional parties than national parties. Though the Congress is a national party, it is functioning as a regional party under Wayanad MP Rahul Gandhi. Siddaramaiah is more focused on consolidating the party’s base in Karnataka,” the official added.

“If we raise communal issues, they (BJP) will have an advantage. But when it comes to development, they will step back. In the coming days, we will also highlight the promises made in the BJP’s manifesto , and how far the previous government had implemented them. We will also list out all the development works carried out by the chief minister,” he further said.

He added that other than Shekhawat none of the BJP leaders or its social media accounts have responded to Siddaramaiah’s #AnswerMadiModi and #WhyNoLoveForKarnataka? campaign.

Also read: Congress announces 5 candidates for Karnataka Legislative Council elections

Shekhawat hits back at Siddaramaiah

Responding to Siddaramaiah, the Union minister said on 28 October that the chief minister was spreading falsehood and misinformation.

The chief minister had alleged that the Union government has been neglecting Karnataka’s water concerns, particularly those related to projects such as the Mekedatu balancing reservoir across the Cauvery river.

Alleging that projects like Mekedatu and the Mahadayi river were awaiting the Union government’s approval, Siddaramaiah asked, “Do you want make Kannadigas more thirsty, dear prime minister?”

Dear Shri. @siddaramaiah ,

We know it is tradition for Congress to spread false rumour & misinformation. But it isn’t becoming of a CM to wreak havoc in peoples lives by doing so.

You are very well aware of the status of the Mekedatu project – if not, let us remind you, since… pic.twitter.com/Kqwgi30Bxp

— Gajendra Singh Shekhawat (@gssjodhpur) October 30, 2023

Shekhawat took to social media to hit back at Siddaramaiah. ‘We know it is the tradition for Congress to spread rumour & misinformation,” he said on X, adding that it was unbecoming of a chief minister.

“The discussion on the Detailed Project Report (DPR) was included as an agenda item during various meetings of Cauvery Water Management Authority (CWMA). However, a discussion on this issue did not take place due to a lack of consensus among the party states,” Shekhawat said on the Mekedatu Project.

On the approval of the DPRs of Kalasa-Banduri Nala project, he said: “The Central Water Commission has already given its approval with certain conditions, and the same has been communicated to the government of Karnataka.”

“Of the five projects prioritised during 2017-18 (sic), three stand completed. Two are ongoing, and ₹1,190.05 crore out of the ₹1,238.30 crore central assistance has already been released,” he said.

Underlining the financial aspects, he explained: “Under the Atal Bhujal Yojana, Karnataka has received ₹629.54 crore from the Centre, but as of 28 October 2023, the state has spent only ₹274.05 crore.”