'Inspired by Aurangzeb': BJP terms Karnataka budget 'blatant appeasement'

Presenting the budget for 2025-26 in the state assembly, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah made a host of announcements for various sectors which included Rs 150 crore allocation for repair and renovation of Waqf properties, infrastructure and protection of Muslim burial grounds.

New Delhi: Calling the Karnataka budget a “Muslim League budget” inspired by Muslim ruler Aurangzeb, the BJP central leadership on Friday said the Congress is transforming into a modern-day Muslim League party.

"The Congress is slowly but surely disregarding every credential they had on social justice and now is evolving as a modern version of Mohammad Ali Jinnah's Muslim League," BJP national spokesperson Anil Antony told a press conference here.

The Karnataka government is becoming the Congress' "poster example of appeasement," he charged.

The BJP leader slammed the Congress over proposal to earmark Rs 150 crore for repair and renovation of Waqf properties, infrastructure and protection of Muslim burial grounds, saying the Karnataka government has come up with such a proposal at a time when the Union government is set to bring a bill in Parliament seeking amendment to the Waqf Act.

The Karnataka government has proposed allocation of funds on this head at a time when Waqf properties at almost Rs 85,000 acres of land out of total of 1 lakh acres are under dispute due to allegations of encroachment, he added.

"Does the minority community in Karnataka only mean the Muslim community? Why are reservations meant for OBCs, SCs, and STs being taken away to appease one particular community?" the BJP asked.