Siddaramaiah To Lead Chalo Delhi Protest Against Centre’s ‘Financial Injustice’ To Karnataka Today
The protest by all Congress MLAs and MPs of the state will begin at 11 AM in Jantar Mantar, New Delhi on Wednesday.
In a strong attack against the BJP-led Central government ahead of Lok Sabha Elections 2024, the ruling Karnataka Congress led by CM Siddaramaiah is set to stage a protest against the alleged "injustice" to the state in the allocation of tax devolution and grants-in-aid for the past few years in Jantar Mantar, New Delhi on Wednesday. The protest by all Congress MLAs and MPs of the state will begin at 11 AM on Wednesday.
The protest is aimed at demanding the Centre to rectify the alleged losses amounting to Rs 1.87 lakh crore that Karnataka reportedly incurred over five years under the 15th Finance Commission.
Coincidentally, CPI (M) veteran and Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, alongside his Cabinet colleagues, will stage a protest in the national capital on February 8, citing the Centre's purported neglect towards the southern state.
On the protest, Siddaramaiah stated that the protest aims to draw attention from the central government and the nation to the state's concerns. Although Karnataka has never before protested in Delhi, current circumstances necessitate it, he said.
He also appealed to the opposition BJP and its lawmakers, particularly MPs from Karnataka, to join the agitation in the state's interest, clarifying that the struggle is against the "injustice" suffered by Karnataka, not against the saffron party.
On the Karnataka Congress protest in Delhi, Karnataka Minister Ramalinga Reddy said, "Around Rs 4,50,000 tax will be collected from our state by the central govt but we are getting just Rs 50,000. This year, out of 236 taluks, 220 taluks are declared affected by drought. Till now not even a single rupee has been released for Karnataka."
#WATCH | On the Karnataka Congress protest in Delhi, Karnataka minister Ramalinga Reddy says, "Around Rs 4,50,000 tax will be collected from our state by the central govt but we are getting just Rs 50,000. This year, out of 236 taluks, 220 taluks are declared affected by drought.… pic.twitter.com/N8kFTJ7xmn
— ANI (@ANI) February 7, 2024
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On the protest, Congress leader Srinivas BV said, "Today, the entire Karnataka cabinet has come to Delhi to hold a protest against the Centre demanding to pay the correct tax amount to Karnataka govt. The Finance Minister is not ready to have discussions. CM along with other Congress leaders will protest against the injustice done by the Centre here in Jantar Mantar."
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