Congress Workers Secure Panel Post with Guarantee, BJP Accuses Misuse of Taxpayers’ Funds
Massive Row Erupts in Karnataka Over Appointment of Congress Workers in Panel
A controversy has erupted in Karnataka after the Siddaramaiah government appointed Congress workers as office-bearers of the panel set up to fulfill pre-poll guarantees. The government has also earmarked funds for their salaries and allowances, leading to accusations of misuse of taxpayers’ money by the ruling Congress party.
Opposition BJP and JD(S) have strongly criticized the move, alleging that the Congress is looting public funds to pay its party workers. Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar, however, defended the decision by stating that Congress workers have the right to oversee the state government’s programs.
Protests and Accusations
BJP MLAs staged a protest outside the Vidhana Soudha, while JD(S) MLA MT Krishnappa raised the issue in the Assembly. Krishnappa highlighted that MLAs and officials were already overseeing program implementation, making the appointment of party workers unnecessary.
Leader of the Opposition R Ashoka criticized Deputy Chief Minister Shivakumar for failing to differentiate between the government and the party. He questioned the decision to allocate taxpayers’ money to Congress workers and accused them of receiving privileges such as cabinet ranks, official bungalows, and offices.
In response, Shivakumar reiterated that it was the government’s prerogative to involve party workers in overseeing programs. He justified the move by emphasizing that those who helped bring the government to power have a stake in ensuring the success of its initiatives.
Debate Over Guarantee Schemes
The debate over the appointment of Congress workers is linked to the implementation of guarantee schemes by the Karnataka government. Shivakumar pointed out that the government is allocating a significant portion of the budget, around 20%, for these schemes aimed at alleviating the people’s economic hardships.
Former Home Minister and BJP leader Araga Jnanendra raised concerns about the parallel meetings being conducted by Congress workers, suggesting a lack of trust in the role of elected representatives. He criticized the allocation of additional funds for party workers when existing officials were already tasked with program oversight.
Political Back-and-Forth
The political back-and-forth continued outside the Assembly, with Ashoka accusing the Congress of systematically appointing party leaders in various constituencies and allocating substantial salaries and perks to them. He alleged that millions of rupees were being diverted from public funds to benefit Congress workers.
State BJP chief BY Vijayendra targeted Chief Minister Siddaramaiah for allegedly misusing state funds to pay the salary of the chairman of the guarantee implementation scheme. The BJP has vowed to continue protesting and has planned to submit a memorandum to the Governor to address their grievances.
The Future of the Controversy
The controversy over the appointment of Congress workers in overseeing government programs is likely to intensify as political parties in Karnataka stake their claims on the proper utilization of public funds. The debate underscores broader issues of accountability, transparency, and the appropriate roles of party workers in governance. As the situation unfolds, it remains to be seen how the Siddaramaiah government will navigate these challenges and address the concerns raised by the opposition.