Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah Sanctions Rs 50 Crore Grant for All Assembly Constituencies Amid Pressure from Congress MLAs

Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has cleared the release of ₹50 crore in development grants for each MLA, after weeks of internal discussions and increasing pressure from Congress legislators who were vocal about the delay in fund allocation for constituency development.

MLAs Raise Concerns Over Fund Shortages

The decision follows a series of individual meetings between Congress legislators and state in-charge Randeep Singh Surjewala.

These sessions, held at the Congress party office in Bengaluru, focused on legislators’ concerns about a lack of financial support, which they said was delaying critical infrastructure work in their constituencies, both rural and urban.

Surjewala later brought these concerns to the attention of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar during separate meetings held in Bengaluru and Delhi.

Chief Minister Approves Long-Delayed Allocation

After multiple rounds of internal deliberations, Siddaramaiah approved the long-pending proposal. As originally suggested in the state budget, each MLA will now receive ₹50 crore for constituency development.

The funds are designated for infrastructure improvements, including the construction of roads and bridges.

Independent MLA Flags Rural Area Funding Concerns

On July 17, Independent MLA Darshan Puttannaiah, who represents Melukote in Mandya district and supports the Congress-led government, raised fresh concerns.

He acknowledged the financial pressure caused by the five Guarantee schemes and said that while funds had now been released, they were insufficient to address rural development needs.

“You know the financial situation and why we are not getting funds. They have given money now but we need more funds. This is not adequate, you know how many villages don’t have roads and drains. There are 236 villages and we need ₹5–10 crore for each. It is going for that (Guarantees) as well. We have to give it to that (Guarantees) and give funds. Both can’t be done together,” Puttannaiah said.

Congress MLA Threatens Resignation Over Delays

In June, Congress MLA Raju Kage from Kagwad expressed deep frustration over the prolonged delay in development works in his constituency.

He accused the state government of administrative inaction and said that not a single work order had been issued, even two years after the Chief Minister sanctioned a ₹25 crore special grant.

“I am so disheartened that I am even considering resigning. Don’t be surprised if I go and submit my resignation to the Chief Minister in the next two days,” Kage had warned.

Expected Impact on Local Governance and Elections

The timely release of these grants is anticipated to reduce internal dissatisfaction within the Congress legislative party. Several MLAs had earlier criticised the delay in fund disbursement.

The grants are expected to improve grassroots-level development across the state and may help the party prepare for upcoming civic and local body elections.

Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar confirmed on Friday that the state government has allocated ₹50 crore for each MLA’s constituency.

According to ANI, this allocation aligns with the state’s larger budget framework and is meant to support infrastructure and rural development projects, along with discretionary work managed by the MLAs themselves.

Shivakumar clarified that the ₹8,000 crore fund would be distributed fairly. “We had made this decision in the budget. About ₹8000 crores of funds were allocated for this. We will give this fund to the ruling and opposition MLAs. The funds have been given for public works, rural development, and the discretion of the MLAs,” he was quoted as saying.

BJP Accuses Congress of Political Bias

Despite these clarifications, the opposition BJP has strongly criticised the move.

BJP state president BY Vijayendra Yediyurappa accused the Congress-led government of politically motivated fund distribution, claiming that only Congress MLAs would benefit from the grants.

In a statement on X, he wrote, “Are you the Chief Minister for Congress MLAs or for the state of Karnataka? In an attempt to save your wobbling Chief Minister’s chair, to pacify the internal discontent within Congress, and to satisfy disgruntled Congress MLAs, you have released ₹50 crore in funding under the Chief Minister’s Constituency Development Program exclusively for the constituencies of Congress MLAs.”

BJP Warns of Democratic Concerns

Vijayendra further alleged that the move undermined democratic values and fairness. He asserted that the Congress government had failed to deliver any substantial development since taking office.

According to him, opposition parties play a vital role in democracy by pointing out government shortcomings. He claimed the national decline of the Congress party was due to its continued disregard for democratic principles.