Ajay Singh, the Jewargi MLA and chairperson of the Kalyana Karnataka Region Development Board (KKRDB), has condemned the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) for its alleged injustice towards southern states in tax devolution. Singh claims that BJP-led governments are denying these states their due share, leading them to approach the Supreme Court for resolution. He also highlights the Union government’s delayed response to drought relief in Karnataka, accusing the BJP of being anti-farmer.
Addressing a media conference, Singh outlined how the BJP-led Union government has allegedly deprived Karnataka of its rightful share in Central taxes as well as drought relief. He mentioned that the state had submitted a request for drought relief in September under the norms of the National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF), but the funds were not released until the state approached the Supreme Court. Singh hailed this as a great victory for Karnataka and its drought-hit farmers.
Singh further criticized the Modi government for its alleged anti-farmer policies, claiming that farmers are increasingly committing suicide due to the government’s actions. He contrasted the current situation with the Congress-led United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government under Manmohan Singh, which waived farm loans worth ₹72,000 crore. In contrast, the Modi government has allegedly written off corporate loans to the tune of ₹14 lakh crore, demonstrating its priorities, according to Singh.
