Angry Chief Minister Flings Copy of Budget Inside Assembly

Bengaluru, Karnataka: Angry with repeated disruptions in the assembly, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah flung a copy of the budget into the well of the House today. The ruling Congress and opposition, BJP were involved in heated arguments over the alleged cut in funding of centrally sponsored schemes.

Trouble began when the chief minister said that the government has not been able to achieve 100 per cent spending of total budget plan due to alleged reduction of Rs 4,690 crore in grants from the Centre. BJP members objected to it, accusing the chief minister of giving wrong information, which led to a war of words from both sides.

Mr Siddaramaiah led the attack from the front, he said, "For BJP, well-being of the state is not important, but the well-being of their party. They should be ashamed of politicising things."

This led to more noisy scenes and allegations and counter allegations from both sides. BJP members then entered the well of the House, shouting slogans against the government and the Chief Minister. All attempts by the Speaker to pacify opposition members failed.

The demands and money Bill was put to vote amidst the din, and were passed by a voice vote.

In his reply later, Siddaramaiah claimed his government is transparent and corruption free. "Ours is a corruption free, pro-people government. There have been no allegations of corruption against our government in the last two years."