Karnataka govt sanctions Rs 50 crore per MLA; BJP cries foul

At a time when MLAs cutting across political affiliations have been seeking funds for developmental activities, the Congress government has announced Rs 50 crore grants for each of the 224 MLAs in the state. 

The move was announced in the 2025-26 budget. A Government Order (GO) dated July 15 explains that Rs 37.50 crore of the Rs 50 crore is for infrastructural work, including Public Works Department (PWD) works, road and bridge works, rural road works and so on.

The remaining Rs 12.50 crore is left for the discretion of the MLAs.

The order explains that a district-wise meeting of MLAs has been scheduled on July 30 and 31.

DH had earlier reported that 75 per cent funds under the Chief Minister’s Infrastructure Development Programme (CMIDP) will be provided to develop infrastructure like roads and bridges in every Assembly constituency, while the remaining 25 per cent is for the MLA’s discretion.

In the Budget speech, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah had announced that the CMIDP will be announced with Rs 8,000 crore.

BJP cries foul

However, the opposition BJP has cried foul, accusing the Congress-led government of providing Rs 50 crore for only its MLAs. 

Taking to X (formerly Twitter), BJP state president B Y Vijayendra said: “Is Siddaramaiah the chief minister only for Congress MLAs or for the entire state?? To douse the factional infighting within the Congress and satisfy the rebels, the chief minister is only providing Rs 50 crore to Congress MLAs. By providing the lion’s share of the amount to Congress MLAs and giving only the rabbit’s share to
the opposition, you are insulting the ideals of the Constitution.”

However, Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar clarified that the funds were being provided to all the 224 MLAs irrespective of political affiliations. 

“It has been decided in the Budget to provide Rs 8,000 crore. This is for development purposes. We will give it to both the opposition and the ruling-party MLAs.  We are just starting now, they (opposition) have to be patient.”