UPA ignored Karnataka, charges BJP

In a pre-poll offensive, the ruling BJP in Karnataka today came out with what it called a chargesheet against the UPA, alleging that the state had been neglected by Congress-led government at the Centre.

Releasing the ‘chargesheet’ to reporters here, state BJP leaders said while UPA sanctioned NSG units in Hyderabad, Mumbai, Kolkata and Chennai, it did not do so for Bangalore, known as India’s silicon city and a target of terrorists. It also charged the Centre with discriminating against the state in sanctioning funds for various development projects. While Andhra Pradesh got Rs 24,954 crore, Karnataka was allocated only Rs 6,426 crore, the ‘chargesheet’ said. It added that while the Centre alloted Indian Institutes of Technology to nine states, Karnataka’s case was ignored.

Noting that Karnataka did not even have a Minister of Cabinet rank in the UPA government, party leaders said it showed the ruling coalition was not bothered about the state.

The BJP said the Centre gave Andhra Pradesh 32 per cent of Central allocation and 34 per cent to Tamil Nadu, but it was just 17 per cent for Karnataka. Ministers S Suresh Kumar, Katta Subramanya Naidu and R Ashok were present at the release of the ‘chargesheet’.