Union Minister for Food and Public Distribution, Pralhad Joshi, criticized the Congress party for the resignation of Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah. Joshi claimed that the move was an insult to the OBC community and a sign of the party’s internal instability. He accused the Congress leadership of humiliating an OBC leader despite advocating for backward classes.
Joshi highlighted that out of the four states governed by the Congress, only Siddaramaiah was an OBC Chief Minister. He further alleged that the Congress uses OBC welfare as a political tool while sidelining leaders from backward communities. Joshi described the Congress as a party marked by instability and confusion, citing internal conflicts during the Congress government’s rule in Karnataka.
The Union Minister drew parallels between the treatment of former Karnataka Chief Minister Veerendra Patil by Rajiv Gandhi and Siddaramaiah’s resignation. He criticized Siddaramaiah for blaming the Centre for the state’s financial condition, alleging that the Congress government had weakened Karnataka’s economy. Joshi also accused the Congress of using Siddaramaiah as a means to fulfill its own agenda.
Joshi emphasized that the Centre had provided detailed clarifications regarding financial assistance to Karnataka under various schemes and grants. He refuted the blame placed on the Union government for the state’s financial situation, citing support measures like the Jal Jeevan Mission and GST compensation.
