BENGALURU – Former Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai has criticized the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government and the administration of former Chief Minister Siddaramaiah for their handling of the state’s finances.
Bommai stated that during the UPA’s tenure, there was a demand to increase the state’s financial allocation to 40%, but then Prime Minister Manmohan Singh did not heed this request. However, he praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi for increasing the allocation to 42% within three to four months of assuming office, citing it as an act of federal cooperation.
The former CM also criticized Siddaramaiah’s administration during the workings of the 15th Finance Commission. According to Bommai, the state was not projected well under Siddaramaiah’s leadership. He said, “When the 15th Finance Commission started working under the UPA government, Siddaramaiah was the CM, they didn’t project the state very well.”
Bommai also accused the current government of raising the issue again after two years of the 15th Finance Commission’s implementation. He believes this is merely a political agenda that the government is trying to promote.
The former CM’s comments have sparked a debate on the state’s financial management and the role of the central government in supporting state finances. It remains to be seen how the current government will respond to these allegations.
