Daijiworld Media Network – Bengaluru
Bengaluru, Mar 3: Governor Thawar Chand Gehlot on Monday praised the Congress government for its progressive approach, stating that the administration had disproved predictions of economic decline due to its welfare schemes.
As the legislative budget session began, the opposition staged a protest against the government, with BJP state president B Y Vijayendra, Leader of Opposition in the Legislative Council Chalavadi Narayanaswamy, and JD(S) leaders Suresh Babu and Bhojegowda leading a procession alongside several MLAs.
A fresh controversy erupted as deputy chief minister D K Shivakumar criticized Kannada film industry artistes for not attending the International Film Festival inauguration. His comment, "I know how to tighten the screws on film artistes," drew sharp criticism from union ministers Pralhad Joshi and H D Kumaraswamy, who labelled the remark ‘toxic and unacceptable’.
The budget session is expected to witness intense debates over issues such as the police station attack case, allegations of Muslim appeasement, metro fare hikes, and proposed increases in water and milk prices.
Amid political turbulence, the ruling Congress party is also grappling with internal strife. Defying a high command directive to avoid discussions on power sharing, senior leader Veerappa Moily openly supported Shivakumar's bid for the chief minister post, stating that nothing could stop him from taking over.
Shivakumar’s staunch supporter, MLA Basavaraju Shivaganga, echoed this sentiment, asserting that the deputy chief minister would ascend to the top post by December and lead the party in the next Assembly elections. This claim is said to have sparked discontent within chief minister Siddaramaiah’s camp.
The BJP is also facing internal challenges. Though the party high command managed to quell an uprising against state president B Y Vijayendra, BJP MLA Basanagouda Patil Yatnal continued his defiance. Yatnal had earlier criticised former chief minister B S Yediyurappa.
Further adding to the BJP’s woes, MLAs S T Somashekar and Shivaram Hebbar had previously defied party orders by aligning with Congress leaders.
As chief minister Siddaramaiah prepares to present the Rs 4 lac crore budget for 2025-26, he is set to extend his record of presenting the highest number of budgets in the state—15 in total, including eight as chief minister and seven as deputy CM and finance minister.
With both major parties embroiled in internal conflicts, the budget session promises to be a politically charged event, with sharp exchanges expected on the floor of the House.