This story is from September 23, 2021

Development funds: Karnataka CM Basavaraj Bommai under pressure from BJP legislators

BJP legislators are not happy about the size of development funds provided for their constituencies and are pressuring chief minister Basavaraj Bommai to increase the allocations. An urgency to show work on the ground ahead of the 2023 assembly elections has triggered their demands.
Development funds: Karnataka CM Basavaraj Bommai under pressure from BJP legislators
Karnataka chief minister Basavaraj Bommai. (File image)
BENGALURU: BJP legislators are not happy about the size of development funds provided for their constituencies and are pressuring chief minister Basavaraj Bommai to increase the allocations. An urgency to show work on the ground ahead of the 2023 assembly elections has triggered their demands.
Bommai’s predecessor, BS Yediyurappa, had also faced the challenge of dissatisfaction over allocations during his term.
When the BJP leadership effected a change of guard in Karnataka in July, the expectation was that the new chief minister would bring visible change in administration and ease discontent in the party. But the latest events suggest the latter won’t be easy.
At a meeting of the BJP legislature party on Tuesday, many MLAs and MLCs demanded that Bommai grant more funds for developmental works, according to BJP insiders. Some MLAs apparently sought up to Rs 200 crore for roads and other infrastructure projects in their constituencies.
Officials say the government is not in a position to fulfil such demands, given the dire financial situation following the pandemic. Also, Bommai, who holds the finance portfolio, wants to increase funding for education and health sectors first.
“While resources are still a concern, there cannot be so much of an imbalance in terms of allocating funds, with some MLAs securing Rs 200 crore for their constituency and others getting less,” said a senior official in the finance department. Another common complaint of BJP legislators relates to getting face time with the chief minister. To address this, Bommai has promised to meet them once a week, and on Wednesday, he hosted a dinner.

In fund allocation, Bommai will have to strike a tricky balance as MLAs from opposition parties also want a higher share for their segments. Already, allegations of partiality are being made, and the issue reverberated in the assembly on Wednesday, when JD(S) members tried to corner the government.
“The hope is that Bommai will bring in muchneeded changes and not yield to the pressure mounted by legislators. While he is bound to cater to the legitimate needs of priority areas, he should act tough while dealing with those making unreasonable demands,” said senior MLC and state BJP treasurer Lahar Singh Siroya, who expressed concern over the growing election expenses of MLAs.
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About the Author
B V Shiva Shankar

BV Shiva Shankar is a special correspondent with The Times of India Hyderabad covering political issues as well as issues like metro rail, urban infrastructure, liquor and irrigation.

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