Opposition Attacks Karnataka Budget 2026, Calls It ‘Clerical Exercise’

The opposition in Karnataka has sharply criticized the state budget for 2026-27, presented by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on March 6, 2026, describing it as a "clerical exercise" that is "harsh and burdensome" on the people. Leader of Opposition R. Ashoka of the BJP termed the budget "anti-people" and accused the Congress government of prioritizing appeasement over development, while highlighting the record borrowing of Rs 1.16 lakh crore that has pushed the state's debt burden higher.

The budget, Siddaramaiah's record 17th, outlines a total expenditure of Rs 4.48 lakh crore for the financial year 2026-27, marking a 13.3% increase over the previous year's revised estimates. Key announcements include initiatives to boost the AI sector with seven new programs, a proposed ban on social media for children under 16 to curb excessive mobile usage, upgrades to the Bengaluru Outer Ring Road, and continued support for guarantee schemes like Anna Bhagya and Gruha Lakshmi. The CM emphasized a balanced approach blending welfare, infrastructure, and long-term economic transformation under an "11G Economic Model" focused on sustainability and making Bengaluru the world's most liveable city.

Opposition leaders from the BJP and JD(S), forming the NDA alliance, slammed the fiscal strategy as unsustainable, pointing to a projected revenue deficit of around Rs 23,000 crore and a fiscal deficit of Rs 97,449 crore (2.95% of GSDP). They argued that the heavy reliance on borrowings ignores the majority community's needs while favoring minority-focused allocations, labeling it a "Muslim budget" and a "budget of betrayal." Critics also noted the absence of bold measures to address unemployment, inflation, and rural distress, calling the document routine and lacking vision beyond populist welfare continuations.

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The criticism reflects deeper political divides in the state assembly, with the opposition accusing the government of fiscal irresponsibility amid falling GST revenues due to national rationalization. Siddaramaiah defended the budget by criticizing the Centre for alleged injustice in federal resource sharing and highlighted compliance with fiscal responsibility norms, with total liabilities at Rs 8.24 lakh crore (24.94% of GSDP). He stressed that the plan prioritizes social justice, drawing from Ambedkar's ideals and Gandhi's principles of self-reliance.

As debates continue in the ongoing budget session, the opposition's strong reaction underscores expectations for more development-oriented spending rather than what they view as incremental or appeasement-driven allocations. The budget's focus on technology, infrastructure, and child protection has drawn mixed responses, but the NDA's framing of it as burdensome highlights ongoing tensions over debt management and equitable growth in Karnataka ahead of future electoral battles.

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