Siddaramaiah Arrives in Delhi To Lead ‘Chalo Delhi’ Protest Against Centre on Tax Devolution – News18

Escalation its attack on the BJP-led central government, the ruling Congress in Karnataka led by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah is all set to stage a protest “Chalo Delhi” in the national capital on Wednesday, alleging ‘injustice’ to the state in tax devolution and grants-in-aid over the past few years.

The protest by all Congress legislators and MPs from the state, including Ministers will begin at 11 am on Wednesday at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi. Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah along with his deputy DK Shivakumar arrived at the Delhi airport earlier in the morning to participate in the protest.

Siddaramaih Calls For Protest

“Rallying against the Central Government’s economic disparities, we call for unity in ‘Chalo Delhi’ tomorrow at 11 AM, Jantar Mantar. We stand against the unfair treatment in tax devolution and grants for Kannadigas. This movement is for Karnataka’s rights, not against any individual. Join us in this crucial protest, transcending party lines, for our collective future,” Siddaramaiah wrote on a social media post on X.

BJP Clarifies, Calls Protest ‘Siddaramaiah’s Political Stunt’

Responding on Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah’s call for protest in Delhi, former Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai said, “Siddaramaiah is doing a political stunt. To cover up his financial mismanagement and failures, he is bringing a bogey between the centre and the state.”

“When we compare UPA’s and PM Modi’s ten years, there is an enormous increase in the funds. From 2004-14 UPA, the devolution of funds was Rs 81,795 crores. Between 2014-24, it is Rs 2,82,791 crores. Aid granted between 2004-14 was Rs 60,779 crores and between 2014-24, it was Rs 2,08,082 crores,” he said, adding, “Siddaramaiah is hiding this reality to cover up his mistakes. He wants to go to Delhi and oppose the government policy. He wants to make it North against South, Centre against state.”