Karnataka's opposition BJP and JDS legislators took out a 'padayatra' (protest march) to the Vidhana Soudha on Monday, alleging the ruling Congress had "insulted" the Governor and the Raj Bhavan.
Meanwhile, Governor Thawarchand Gehlot addressed the joint session of the Karnataka legislature on the first day of the Budget session that concludes on March 21.
The BJP and JDS legislators displayed placards against the Congress party, alleging it was anti-Constitution, anti-judiciary, anti-ED and CBI. The protestors led by BJP state president BY Vijayendra, LOPs R Ashok and Chalavadi Narayanswamy and MLC C.T. Ravi also alleged the Siddaramaiah government was "corrupt".
"The Congress government has passed bills and curtailed the Governor's powers as the chancellor of the universities. The government returned the Microfinance bill to the Governor for his assent without making any changes suggested by him. On one hand, they disrespect and insult the Governor, who is the Constitutional head of the state. On the other hand, they make him read out a speech praising the achievements of this government," said Leader of opposition in the Assembly R Ashok.
LOP in Council Chalavadi Narayanswamy, who slammed the ruling Congress said, "The Congress government hopes to stay in power through the five guarantees. But the SC, ST welfare funds are being diverted for the guarantee schemes. The Siddaramaiah government is treating the Governor like a postman by making him read out a speech about their welfare schemes. I condemn the government for misusing the governor's name for politics."
Interestingly, the Governor, in his speech claimed that his government had taken effective measures to curb harassment during the recovery of loans by the microfinance companies.
"In recent times, several incidents of harassment, violence and pressure during debt recovery have come to light. In order to take effective measures to prevent harassment, government has implemented an ordinance providing for a minimum sentence of 6 months and a maximum of 10 years and a penalty up to Rs 5 lakh for persons harassing (the loanees)," stated the Governor during his speech in Hindi.
Amid the opposition parties criticising the Congress government's five guarantee schemes for their "poor implementation" and as a huge burden on the exchequer, Gehlot defended the government and said, "Many predicted that the state would lag behind in development and the financial condition of the state would deteriorate due to the ambitious welfare schemes launched by the government. But the government has proved the prediction to be false. The severity of inequality is decreasing due to the efficient implementation of the welfare programmes."
"Out of the 344 orders that were to be issued for the announcements of the budget for the year 2024-25, Government orders have been issued for 331 announcements," added the government.
