'Chalo Delhi': Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah To Lead Congress Protest Against Alleged Central Government Injustice At Jantar Mantar Today

Karnataka Congress is all set to stage a protest demonstration at Delhi's Jantar Mantar today (7 February), highlighting what they claim as "step-motherly treatment" towards the state by the central government.

In a bid to garner support, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah wrote letters to all central ministers, MPs, and Rajya Sabha members from Karnataka to join the protest, citing grievances over alleged economic oppression against Karnataka.

As reported by Business Standard, the movement, termed the 'South Tax Movement' on social media platforms, aims to garner massive public participation.

In a social media post on X, Siddaramaiah said, "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."

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Meanwhile, Union Minister Pralhad Joshi dismissed Siddaramaiah's allegations of reduced tax devolution share, accusing him of playing dirty politics without substantiated evidence.

He said, "Karnataka CM's accusations lack any solid grounds. They are so unfounded that their own party must be laughing at the sheer ignorance in CM's hollow allegations, after all CM Siddaramaiah has presented 13 state budgets in the past, and is expected to understand how public finances work."

JD(S) state president H D Kumaraswamy also criticized the Congress for what he deemed as "double standards" on the tax devolution issue.

Kumaraswamy questioned Congress leaders' support in Kerala compared to their stance in Karnataka, suggesting electoral motives behind the protest, reported Deccan Herald.

“Lok Sabha election is the only agenda behind the protest planned by Congress in New Delhi. If not, why did Congress legislators in Kerala refuse to extend support when the Kerala Chief Minister invited them to join in raising voices against the union government regarding injustice caused by tax devolution? They even boycotted the protest planned by Kerala chief minister in New Delhi on 8 February,” he said. 

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