Karnataka CM accuses PM of protecting businessman Gautam Adani

Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah speaking to mediapersons at Mysuru airport on November 22, 2024. | Photo credit: MA Sriram

Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of “protecting” industrialist Gautam Adani, who was indicted by a US court for fraud and bribery.

Speaking to mediators in Mysuru on November 22, Mr. Siddaramaiah said that though an arrest warrant had been issued against Adani, the Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led Center had not taken any action and was protecting it.

Mr. Siddaramaiah said that India’s reputation has been tarnished in the world and not only is BJP supporting Adani but also defending its papers and this cannot be done without PM Modi’s approval.

BJP MPs flayed themselves on the NABARD issue

Pointing his guns at BJP MPs from Karnataka Mr Siddaramaiah said that though the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) has cut funding to the state by 58%, none of them (BJP MPs) have spoken out against this cut nor did he discuss the matter with the Centre.

Karnataka’s allocation was Rs 5,600 crore in 2023-24 but has been reduced by 58% to Rs 2,340 crore in 2024-25. He added that NABARD has reduced funding in India in an irrational manner.

He expressed outrage that not only did BJP MPs not speak out against it, but former Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy also remained silent on the issue.

“He claims to be a son of the soil, but he is silent. Why was the issue not taken up by Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, who is a Rajya Sabha MP from Karnataka,” asked Mr. Siddaramaiah.

Mr. Siddaramaiah said let alone the NABARD decision, BJP leader Pralhad Joshi defended it. ”I will let the public decide who is anti-poor and anti-farmer,” he added.

Mr. Siddaramaiah said he informed Ms. Sitharaman about the consequences of NABARD’s decision to cut funding as it would affect farmers. ”Miss. Sitharaman said he would take up the issue with NABARD but the delay in discussing the matter is inexplicable,” he added.

The Chief Minister said the BJP has time and again proved that it is anti-poor and this came to the fore when the Manmohan Singh government introduced the Food Security Act.

“In Karnataka, Congress was distributing 7 kg of rice to the poor. On coming to power, the BJP reduced it to 5 kg. Congress increased it to 10 kg in 2023. Now BJP is criticizing us on BPL card problem though they have no right to question us,” the CM said.

He questioned whether income tax payers or government employees should be issued BPL cards. “The norms were introduced when the BJP was in power, but now they are questioning the Congress,” Mr. Siddaramaiah added.