BJP leaders don’t read budget, don’t understand economics: CM Siddaramaiah

Mangaluru: Chief Minister Siddaramaiah claimed that BJP leaders don’t read the budget and don’t understand the economics behind it.

The CM made the remarks during a press interaction in Mangaluru on Tuesday. He arrived in Mangaluru to attend the ‘uttara kriya’ of former MLA late Vasantha Bangera at Guruwayanakere in Belthangadi, Dakshina Kannada district.

“It has been a year since our government took office. We have informed the people about our accomplishments,” said CM Siddaramaiah.

“We have allocated Rs 18,000 crore for irrigation this year, compared to Rs 16,000 crore earlier. Our budget is Rs 1,20,000 crore with guaranteed allocations,” he stated.

He criticized the BJP, saying, “They don’t read the budget and don’t understand economics. They spread lies and claim zero development.”

Real development means economic success for the poor, the CM said, and added “Even Ambedkar has said that only political freedom is not enough. It has meaning only when economic and social empowerment is achieved.”