Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar has accused the Centre of unfairly reducing the state’s share in tax devolution and vowed that the Congress-led state government will fight to rectify the perceived injustice. Speaking to the media on Saturday, Shivakumar expressed frustration over the recent allocation of funds, stating that Karnataka has been given less than states like Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, with Andhra Pradesh receiving more despite contributing less in taxes.

Shivakumar, who also serves as the state Congress president, criticized BJP MPs and union ministers from Karnataka for not raising their voices against this discrepancy. He highlighted the silence of prominent figures like Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, who hails from the state. “Why have BJP MPs and Central ministers not raise their voices? Despite having five Central ministers from the state, including Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, they remain silent even though injustice is happening to the state. This is shameful,” he remarked, as per PTI.

The central government recently announced a tax devolution of Rs 1,78,173 crore to state governments, including an advance installment of Rs 89,086.50 crore. Karnataka was allotted Rs 6,498 crore, which Shivakumar argues is disproportionately low compared to other states.

In response to BJP’s defense that population size is a factor in tax distribution, Shivakumar called for a broader discussion in the Assembly but insisted that immediate protests were necessary to safeguard Karnataka’s interests. “May goddess Chamundeshwari bestow upon us the strength to bring peace and prosperity to the people of Karnataka and courage to slay the evil forces that try to destabilize the state with deviousness and deceit,” he affirmed, as per PTI.

Addressing a separate issue, Shivakumar responded to criticism over the government’s recent Dasara advertisement, which referenced “evil forces.” He maintained that the phrase was aimed at those attempting to destabilize the state, indirectly alluding to opposition parties, particularly the BJP and JD(S), who have been targeting Chief Minister Siddaramaiah over the MUDA scam. Shivakumar concluded by stating that more discussions on the issue would take place during the upcoming Assembly session.