Karnataka BJP MPs decline Siddaramaiah’s invite to join protest against fiscal injustice

The invitees include Union Ministers Rajeev Chandrashekar, Pralhad Joshi, and Shobha Karandlaje. Meanwhile, Bengaluru South MP Tejasvi Surya said that he would address a press conference to “expose the false propaganda”.

In a post on X, Siddaramaiah said he has also invited Leader of the Opposition in the Rajya Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge, JD(S) supremo and former prime minister HD Deve Gowda, and former Union minister Sadananda Gowda.

Also Read: ‘Tukde-tukde gang’ says BJP IT cell chief Amit Malviya on Karnataka’s claims

‘Will expose the false propaganda’

Reacting to the invite to join the protest, Surya said that he declined the invite and instead would address a press conference to “expose the false propaganda”.

“I politely decline Karnataka CM Sri Siddaramaiah’s invitation to attend tomorrow’s faux protest. I will, however, address a press conference at New Delhi, to expose the devious, divisive & false propaganda of the CM & Congress with respect to tax devolution to Karnataka,” wrote the MP in a post on X.

I politely decline Karnataka CM Sri Siddaramaiah’s invitation to attend tomorrow’s faux protest.

I will, however, address a press conference at New Delhi, to expose the devious, divisive & false propaganda of the CM & Congress with respect to tax devolution to Karnataka. https://t.co/AuNMWyOSZx

— Tejasvi Surya (ಮೋದಿಯ ಪರಿವಾರ) (@Tejasvi_Surya) February 6, 2024

Also Read: Why is Karnataka protesting against Union government over fiscal injustice?

‘On behalf of all Karnataka people’

In his letter to the elected representatives of Karnataka, Siddaramaiah said, “You are already aware of the constant injustice by the Union government and the step-motherly attitude of the Union government towards Karnataka.”

“It is decided to protest against this and draw the attention of the country. We have decided to hold a one-day hunger protest at Jantar Mantar in Delhi on 7 February, along with the Deputy Chief Minister of the state, all ministers, MLAs and MPs,” added the Chief Minister.

He further said: “Gross injustice in the distribution of tax share to Karnataka, non-compensation, neglect and delay in giving permission and assistance to various projects are affecting the life of the people in the state.”

“You, as the responsible elected representatives, are aware of this issue. Therefore, you must participate in this hunger protest and help in its success. I request on behalf of all the people of Karnataka,” appealed Siddaramaiah

Responding to the Chief Minister’s post on inviting elected representatives of Karnataka to join the hunger protest, Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar said, “Ours is the fight against injustice for the state in tax share and grant distribution. We are also inviting any other party leaders who want the good and future of the state.”

“It is a question of self-esteem of Kannadigas. We are confident that everyone will join hands for the better future of the country, forgetting the partisanship,” Shivakumar said in a post on X.

ತೆರಿಗೆ ಪಾಲು ಹಾಗೂ ಅನುದಾನ ಹಂಚಿಕೆಯಲ್ಲಿ ರಾಜ್ಯಕ್ಕಾಗಿರುವ ಅನ್ಯಾಯದ ವಿರುದ್ಧದ ಹೋರಾಟ ನಮ್ಮದು. ರಾಜ್ಯದ ಒಳಿತು, ಒಳ್ಳೆಯ ಭವಿಷ್ಯವನ್ನು ಬಯಸುವ ಯಾವುದೇ ಅನ್ಯ ಪಕ್ಷದ ನಾಯಕರನ್ನೂ ಕೂಡ ನಾವು ಆಹ್ವಾನಿಸುತ್ತಿದ್ದೇವೆ. ಇದು ಕನ್ನಡಿಗರ ಸ್ವಾಭಿಮಾನದ ಪ್ರಶ್ನೆ. ನಾಡಿನ ಉತ್ತಮ ಭವಿಷ್ಯಕ್ಕಾಗಿ ಪಕ್ಷಭೇದ ಮರೆತು ಎಲ್ಲರೂ ಕೈ ಜೋಡಿಸುತ್ತಾರೆ ಎನ್ನುವ… https://t.co/jPJcMHwZa0

— DK Shivakumar (@DKShivakumar) February 6, 2024

Also Read: CM Siddaramaiah asks BJP to join 7 February protest against ‘injustice’

Union minister terms the issues ‘lies’

Meanwhile, Union Minister of State Rajeev Chandrasekhar termed the remarks of Siddaramaiah “lies” and said that those “lies” were exposed by Sitharaman in the Lok Sabha.

“Biddi @siddaramaiah avare – no one left to blv your lies. Cong party under you & @DKShivakumar has in just a few months destroyed Karnatakas (sic) economy and budget – thanks to your corruption and incompetence – both. Your lie abt “discrimination” has been exposed yday in Parliament by FM @nsitharaman – empatically and conclusively,” he wrote on X.

“I predicted in June 2023 after Karnataka Elections that Rahuls Cong will do this drama to distract people from Cong failure to deliver on “guarantees” and stopping all development – and so this,” the Union minister added.

Biddi @siddaramaiah avare – no one left to blv your lies.

Cong party under you & @DKShivakumar has in just a few months destroyed Karnatakas economy and budget – thanks to your corruption and incompetence – both.

Your lie abt "discrimination" has been exposed yday in Parliament… https://t.co/OebvDpoHCL

— Rajeev Chandrasekhar 🇮🇳(Modiyude Kutumbam) (@Rajeev_GoI) February 6, 2024

In his post on X, Union Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Pralhad Joshi posed several questions towards the Siddaramaiah-led government accusing it of supporting “those who are going to divide the nation”.

Joshi said: “Congress’s Karnataka unit leaders….. What is Delhi Chalo drama for? In the name of guarantees the development works have been hit, is Delhi Chalo drama for that?”

“You have cancelled the Raitha Nidhi scholarship, which was given to the children of the farmers, is it a Delhi Chalo play for that? You are spoiling the health of the society in the name of religion, Is Delhi Chalo a drama?”

“You have disturbed the peace of the state by doing appeasement politics, Is Delhi Chalo drama? You have proved that you are anti-Kannada by sending activists of a pro-Kannada organisation who fought for Kannada to jail, is Delhi Chalo drama for that? You have directly supported those who are going to divide the nation, Is Delhi Chalo drama for that? Answer Siddaramaiah???” he posted on X.

ಕರ್ನಾಟಕ ಕಾಂಗ್ರೆಸಿಗರೇ….. ಯಾತಕ್ಕಾಗಿ ದಿಲ್ಲಿ ಚಲೋ ನಾಟಕ?

* ಗ್ಯಾರಂಟಿ ಹೆಸರಿನಲ್ಲಿ ಅಭಿವೃದ್ಧಿ ಯೋಜನೆಗಳಿಗೆ ಕನ್ನ ಹಾಕಿದ್ದೀರಲ್ಲಾ, ಅದಕ್ಕಾಗಿ ದಿಲ್ಲಿ ಚಲೋ ನಾಟಕವೇ?
* ರೈತರ ಮಕ್ಕಳಿಗೆ ನೀಡುತ್ತಿದ್ದ ರೈತನಿಧಿ ರದ್ದುಗೊಳಿಸಿದ್ದೀರಲ್ಲಾ, ಅದಕ್ಕಾಗಿ ದಿಲ್ಲಿ ಚಲೋ ನಾಟಕವೇ?
* ಧರ್ಮದ ಹೆಸರಿನಲ್ಲಿ ಸಮಾಜದ ಸ್ವಾಸ್ಥ್ಯ ಹಾಳು… https://t.co/nxBI4jkVYy

— Pralhad Joshi (Modi Ka Parivar) (@JoshiPralhad) February 6, 2024