Making 4 lakh crore debt is the only record of the Congress government: Basavaraj Bommai
Bengaluru: Former Chief Minister and MP Basavaraj Bommai has challenged that if anyone can prove that the prices of any goods have not increased after the Congress government came to power, they will be rewarded with 1 lakh rupees. He added that making a record debt of 4 lakh crore rupees is the only notable achievement of this government.
Participating in a protest organized by the BJP against the state government’s price rise, he alleged that prices of all essential goods and services – ranging from water, cooking oil, edible oil, and garbage collection to milk and alcohol – have surged two to three times.
Criticizing the rise in illegal activities in the state, he lashed out, stating that those in power are indulging in everything themselves while taking undue credit for launching major projects.
Recalling B.S. Yediyurappa’s Administration
Recalling former Chief Minister B.S. Yediyurappa’s tenure, Bommai noted that when floods hit the state back then, Yediyurappa did not wait for central government assistance; instead, he announced his own relief package and toured the entire state to ensure aid reached everyone. He opined that Yediyurappa holds the distinction of being the first in the country to announce a house-repair relief of Rs. 5 lakhs during flood disasters.
Moral Right to Provide Relief to Farmers
Stating that during their term, they provided financial assistance of up to Rs. 25,000 for irrigation and farmers by combining central assistance with additional grants, he said the BJP – under the leadership of Opposition Leader R. Ashoka – has the complete moral right to demand that same relief now.
Record Reduction of Petrol Prices
He recalled that when the central government previously reduced petrol prices, the state government too had slashed taxes by about seven rupees to benefit the public—a historical record.
4 Lakh Crore Debt
Criticizing the present government, he said that while it has no development records to show in its three years in office, its only major achievement is accumulating a massive debt of 4 lakh crore rupees, running into lakhs of crores every year.
A Blundering and Stubborn Government
“This is a completely ‘blundering and stubborn’ government. There is no willingness within the government to reform itself; everyone from the Chief Minister down is striving just to save their chairs,” he remarked, adding that they have no time to respond to people’s problems. He alleged that the state treasury is completely empty. “There is no money with the government to pay salaries to government employees and fourth-class municipality employees in the coming days. ASHA and Anganwadi workers have not received their honorariums for three to four months already. The 108 emergency ambulance service has completely stopped, and even their drivers have not been paid,” he charged.
A Befitting Lesson from the Public in 2028
Comparing the government to a broken-down bus moving forward, he lashed out that no reforms are possible in this administration. Just like sending a completely wrecked bus to the scrap yard, the public is guaranteed to send this government to the scrap yard in 2028, he warned.
He alleged that under the so-called “five guarantees” government, only Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s 5 kg rice is reaching the poor, while schemes like housing construction, Gruha Lakshmi, and Gruha Jyothi are not being implemented properly.
Call to Oust the Government:
“The prices of all goods in the state have skyrocketed, making the lives of ordinary citizens burdensome. If anything has decreased in value, it is only the value of human life and existence,” he alleged, adding that the state’s economy is being dragged into the abyss by this government.
Call for Unity
“Without taking a step back from the path we have taken, we must continue this struggle until it becomes the voice of the people. We must all unite and resolve to push back this wicked, corrupt government and bring back a pro-people government,” he urged.
Former Chief Minister B.S. Yediyurappa, BJP State President B.Y. Vijayendra, Opposition Leaders R. Ashoka and Chalavadi Narayanaswamy, along with MPs Jagadish Shettar, Govind Karjol, and several other dignitaries were present at the protest.
