Karnataka BJP accuses state government of Rs 8.24 lakh crore debt

State BJP officials allege the treasury is effectively empty, citing a revenue deficit of Rs 22,957 crore and over Rs 36,000 crore in pending payments to contractors. The party specifically targeted Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar, who holds the finance portfolio, accusing him of prioritizing publicity stunts over essential infrastructure projects. Critics point to stalled developments across transport and irrigation sectors as evidence of systemic economic mismanagement.

Opposition figures, including R Ashoka and Chalavadi Narayanaswamy, led protests in Bengaluru, demanding accountability for the frozen funds. Narayanaswamy further alleged that the government has diverted resources earmarked for Dalit community development, specifically criticizing the use of SC/ST welfare funds for non-essential administrative programs. The BJP maintains that the state is currently incapable of sustaining its existing debt obligations, let alone funding new initiatives like the Rs 10,000 crore Rural Roads Connectivity Scheme.