BJP member Suresh Kumar (L) and RDPR Minister Priyank Kharge in the Legislative Assembly on Thursday.
Credit: Special Arrangement
Bengaluru: The Opposition BJP and JD(S) walked out of the Karnataka Legislative Assembly on Thursday in protest after the Congress government justified issuing newspaper advertisements criticising the new Viksit Bharat-Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) (VB-G RAM G) Act at taxpayers’ expense.
Thursday’s newspapers carried a full-page advertisement issued by the Rural Development and Panchayat Raj (RDPR) Department featuring Mahatma Gandhi in conversation with a fictional character named ‘Sanghappa’, a likely pun on the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS).
The advertisement dubs the VB-G RAM (G) Act as a “death knell” for rural employment and slams the Narendra Modi administration for “tax terrorism” against Karnataka.
“The government runs on taxpayer money. If it was a Congress party advertisement, then fine. But this is an advertisement from the RDPR Department against a federal law,” said senior BJP lawmaker S Suresh Kumar, raising the issue. “This is a clear loot of taxpayer money for political propaganda. Can a government department do this? To what level are we stooping?”
Leader of the Opposition R Ashoka called the advertisement “illegal” and cited a Supreme Court order by (former Chief Justice) Ranjan Gogoi. “Advertisements shouldn’t promote the political interest of the ruling party,” Ashoka said. “Crores of money have been spent on these advertisements.”
The Opposition members said such advertisements would fuel tensions in the Centre-State ties.
“Tomorrow, a State law will come. There are BJP-backed panchayats and city municipal councils. Will you allow them to issue an advertisement against a State law?” BJP’s V Sunil Kumar asked. “In a federal structure, States must accept Central laws,” he said, maintaining that the Congress should have issued the advertisement and not the government.
While BJP State president B Y Vijayendra described the advertisement as “anarchist”, Ashoka argued that it disrespected Gandhi.
“Did Gandhi ever ask for a scheme to be named after him? If you truly wanted to pay homage to Gandhi, you could’ve issued an advertisement asking citizens not to drink liquor. Instead, you’re opening new liquor stores,” Ashoka said. “And, which government advertisement uses words like ‘tax terrorism’?”
RDPR Minister Priyank Kharge vehemently defended the advertisement. “We will issue more advertisements. It’s our right; it’s our taxpayers’ money, and our people are facing injustice,” he said.
Priyank pointed out that the BJP government in Gujarat issued an advertisement wishing Prime Minister Narendra Modi a happy birthday. “During Covid, the B S Yediyurappa government issued an advertisement thanking Modi for vaccines,” he said.
The Minister said the new law was enacted without consulting States, which he deemed as violation of Article 258 of the Constitution.
“If a Kannadiga pays Rs 100 to the Centre, then Rs 13 comes back. But the return is double for Uttar Pradesh, and triple for Madhya Pradesh and Bihar. Are we wrong to ask Rs 25-Rs 30 in return to spend on infrastructure and creating jobs?” Priyank argued.
Karnataka is yet to receive Rs 2,500 crore to gram panchayats under the 15th Finance Commission, Priyank said. “Under Jal Jeevan Mission, the State has covered for the Centre by paying Rs 15,000 crore. If this isn’t tax terrorism, then what is?”
The State is number one in terms of income tax, foreign investments, IT exports and property tax, Priyank said. “What’s wrong if we ask for a little more?”