BJP leaders stage a protest against the state budget in Bengaluru on Friday. | Photo credit: Special arrangement
The BJP and JD (S) criticized the state budget presented by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Friday as burdening the people by increasing public debt.
BJP legislators staged a dharna at the Vidhana Soudha premises with empty vessels, claiming that all the budget gave to the people of the state was an empty vessel.
“While he may be celebrating the presentation of his 17th budget, the people of Karnataka are bearing the brunt of its consequences. In his pursuit of records, Mr. Siddaramaiah has thrown the state’s economy into chaos,” Union Minister HD Kumaraswamy said in a statement.
“One thing is clear: Karnataka’s economy is sliding towards an alarming slowdown. Apart from the warnings issued by the CAG and the Reserve Bank, the state now faces a much deeper fiscal risk,” he asserted.
“This budget is hard on the ears and hard on the state. The chief minister has once again decided to indulge in unnecessary criticism of the Union government.”
Leader of Opposition in the Legislative Assembly R. Ashok alleged that the budget imposed a huge debt burden on the people of Karnataka while offering little in terms of real development. “The Siddaramaiah government has amassed debts of nearly ₹ 4.39 crore, effectively handing the people an empty bowl instead of meaningful development,” he said.
BJP state president BY Vijayendra said, “The 17th budget presented by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah does not have a leader’s vision but only a clerical approach.”
Published – 06 Mar 2026 23:26 IST
