The Karnataka Government’s move to sanction ₹10 crore for the rehabilitation of 100 families affected by landslides in Wayanad, Kerala, also Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi’s constituency, has stirred a fierce political debate in the state. Part of the supplementary budget, the allocation has drawn sharp criticism from the BJP, while the Congress has defended it as a moral and federal obligation.

BJP questions state priorities

Leading the charge, BJP state president B Y Vijayendra took aim at Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, accusing him of ignoring the needs of Karnataka’s own farmers who have been reeling under heavy rainfall and crop losses.

“Farmers are in great trouble in Karnataka because of heavy rains. Yet, neither the Chief Minister nor his ministers have sent officials to assess crop damages. But the government is busy giving funds to Kerala,” Vijayendra was quoted as saying by India Today, also accusing the state of misusing public money on other expenditures like Samavesha and legal costs in the MUDA case.

BJP leader and former minister C N Ashwath Narayan echoed the criticism and recalled previous instances of similar aid.

“The Congress government in Karnataka is repeatedly misusing taxpayer money for their own agenda. During the elephant stampede too, they provided money from Karnataka. It’s totally condemnable,” Narayan said, as reported by India Today.

Congress hits back: ‘Humanity shouldn’t be selective’

Congress leaders, however, have responded strongly, defending the financial support to Kerala as an act of compassion and national solidarity.

Rizwan Arshad, Congress MLA from Bengaluru Central, drew a comparison with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s international relief initiatives.

“PM Modi sent humanitarian help to other countries out of humanity. What is wrong in helping our neighbouring states? If we are wrong, then the PM is also wrong. There is no humanity for BJP,” Arshad said in a statement to India Today.

Industries Minister M B Patil also criticised the BJP for hypocrisy, referencing uneven fund distribution during the tenure of former CM Basavaraj Bommai.

“When Bommai was Chief Minister, BJP MLAs got Rs 50 crore while Congress MLAs got Rs 25 crore, and some Congress members got nothing. Now they talk about equal distribution. India is a large country, during floods or disasters, states support one another. There is nothing wrong with that,” he said, defending the allocation.

JD(S) accuses Congress of misplaced priorities

The JD(S) joined the chorus, accusing the ruling party of financial mismanagement. According to the party, while government employees have not received salaries for three months, the state continues to “harass” transport workers under the pretext of an empty treasury.

JD(S) leaders further alleged that farmers in Karnataka are facing a urea shortage, yet fertiliser is being smuggled across the border into Kerala.

“This Congress government is a curse to Karnataka and a benefactor to Kerala,” JD(S) said in a scathing remark, quoted by India Today.