“Did they deposit ₹15 lakh?” Siddaramaiah targets BJP over black money promise

Hubballi : Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Saturday launched a sharp attack on the BJP, accusing it of making false promises and misleading the public, while asserting that the Congress government in Karnataka has delivered on every commitment it made to the people.

Speaking at a programme in Hubballi for the distribution of house ownership titles to eligible beneficiaries, the Chief Minister said his government had acted strictly in line with its promises. “We have done exactly what we said we would do. They, on the other hand, have failed to fulfil their assurances and are spreading lies about us,” he said, taking an indirect swipe at the BJP-led Centre.

Referring to the BJP’s 2014 election promise of bringing back black money from abroad and depositing ₹15 lakh into every citizen’s bank account, Siddaramaiah asked, “They said they would bring back black money and credit ₹15 lakh to everyone’s account. Did they do it?”

Emphasising the Congress government’s focus on inclusive development, the Chief Minister said large-scale housing distribution was aimed at bringing slum dwellers and economically weaker sections into the mainstream. “Our guarantee schemes exist to ensure that the poor are integrated into the social and economic mainstream,” he said.

Siddaramaiah highlighted the Congress’ track record in the housing sector, recalling that during his first term as Chief Minister, the government had constructed nearly 14.58 lakh houses, calling it a “housing revolution”. After assuming office for the second time, he said, the government distributed 36,789 houses in the first phase in 2024, and is now allocating around 45,000 houses in the second phase.

The Chief Minister also accused the BJP and the Union government of betraying Karnataka’s interests on key inter-state and infrastructure projects. “On Mahadayi, Upper Krishna and Upper Bhadra projects, the BJP and the Centre have gone back on their word. They have cheated the people of Karnataka. Union Minister Pralhad Joshi must answer these questions,” he said.

Questioning the Centre’s contribution to housing schemes, Siddaramaiah said the state government bears the bulk of the financial burden. “The state gives ₹4 to ₹5 lakh per house, while the Centre gives less than ₹1 lakh. But the scheme is named as the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana. The money is ours, the name is theirs,” he remarked.

He added that the state government had spent nearly ₹5,500 crore over the past two years on housing schemes alone. Dismissing BJP allegations that the state treasury was empty, Siddaramaiah said the government was financially stable. “We are providing ₹2,500 crore every year as subsidy for farmers’ pump sets, along with widow pensions, old-age pensions and several other welfare schemes. Both the state and our government are strong,” he asserted.