**Karnataka Government’s Rs 10 Crore Aid for Wayanad Landslide Victims Sparks Political Controversy**
The Karnataka government’s recent allocation of Rs 10 crore for the rehabilitation of 100 families affected by landslides in Wayanad, Kerala, has ignited a significant political dispute within the state. This decision, part of a supplementary budget, has faced criticism from the BJP, while Congress leaders have defended it as a necessary act of humanitarian aid and federal responsibility.
BJP state president BY Vijayendra led the charge against Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, questioning his priorities amid ongoing agricultural distress in Karnataka due to heavy rains. “Farmers are suffering greatly, yet the Chief Minister and his ministers have not dispatched officials to assess crop damages. Instead, the government is focused on providing funds to Kerala,” he stated, accusing the administration of misusing taxpayer money for various allocations, including legal expenses related to the MUDA case.
In a post on social media platform X, Vijayendra highlighted what he perceives as double standards from the Chief Minister. “You campaigned in Delhi proclaiming ‘My Tax, My Right,’ yet now you divert Rs 10 crore of Kannadigas’ tax money to Wayanad, simply because it’s Priyanka Gandhi’s constituency,” he wrote, labeling the grant as “servitude” and suggesting that the Chief Minister is squandering Karnataka’s disaster relief funds to appease higher authorities.
BJP MLA Ashwath Narayan also criticized the funding, recalling previous financial support to Kerala. “The Congress government in Karnataka is consistently misusing taxpayer money for their own agenda. They provided funds during the elephant stampede as well, which is completely unacceptable,” he remarked.
In response, Congress leaders defended the aid, emphasizing the importance of supporting neighboring states in times of crisis. Bengaluru Central MLA Rizwan Arshad argued, “Prime Minister Modi has sent humanitarian assistance to other countries. What is wrong with helping our neighboring states? If we are wrong, then the PM is also wrong. The BJP lacks humanity.”
Industries Minister MB Patil accused the BJP of hypocrisy, citing selective funding during the tenure of former Chief Minister Bommai. “When Bommai was in office, BJP MLAs received Rs 50 crore while Congress MLAs got only Rs 25 crore, with some receiving nothing. Now they claim to advocate for equal distribution. In times of floods or disasters, states support one another, and there is nothing wrong with that,” he stated.
The Janata Dal (Secular) party has also weighed in, criticizing the government for failing to pay employee salaries for three months while allegedly troubling transport staff with claims of empty coffers. They further alleged that while farmers in Karnataka face a fertilizer crisis, urea is being smuggled to Kerala. “This Congress government is a curse to Karnataka and a benefactor to Kerala,” the party declared in a pointed critique.
As the political clash continues, the implications of this funding decision and the responses from both parties highlight the ongoing tensions surrounding disaster relief and inter-state support in India.
**FAQ**
**Q: Why did the Karnataka government allocate Rs 10 crore to Wayanad?**
A: The Karnataka government allocated Rs 10 crore for the rehabilitation of families affected by landslides in Wayanad, Kerala, as part of a supplementary budget, which has sparked political controversy regarding priorities and the use of taxpayer funds.
