New Delhi: The Congress-ruled Karnataka government has commenced its 'Chalo Delhi' protest in New Delhi against the Centre over issues such as reduced tax devolution and disproportionate resource distribution. Led by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy CM DK Shivakumar, the entire Karnataka Ministry is staging a sit-in protest at Jantar Mantar today (February 7).

Participating in the agitation are all Congress legislators and MPs from the state, including ministers. The chief minister has also invited Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman (Rajya Sabha member) and Pralhad Joshi to the protest, emphasizing that the struggle is against the "injustice" caused to the state, not against the saffron party.

The protestors demand that the Centre rectify the losses allegedly incurred by Karnataka to the tune of Rs 1.87 lakh crore during five years under the 15th Finance Commission.

Siddaramaiah posted on X, urging people to raise their voice against the economic oppression of Karnataka by the central government and participate in large numbers in the Dharni Satyagraha at Jantar Mantar, Delhi.

The protest's Purpose:
Siddaramaiah stated that the protest aims to draw the central government and the country's attention towards the state's concerns. He mentioned that the state had never staged a protest in Delhi before but cited "unavoidable reasons" for doing so now.

According to the Congress, the agitation aims to counter the BJP by raising the issue of regional pride and highlighting the "injustice" to the state by the party-led NDA government. The party also accused the Centre of "stepmotherly" treatment of Karnataka and disrespecting the federal structure.

CM Siddaramaiah alleged that environmental clearance and necessary permissions for the Mahadayi and Mekedatu projects are still pending.

He also criticized the Centre for discontinuing the compensation given to states to make up for potential losses after the implementation of GST. Karnataka, he claimed, contributes significantly to tax revenue but receives only a small fraction in return.

Siddaramaiah further alleged that the tax share allocated to Karnataka reduced from 4.71 per cent under the 14th Finance Commission to 3.64 per cent under the 15th Finance Commission, resulting in a substantial loss for the state.

Out of 236 taluks in Karnataka, 223 are reportedly drought-ridden, with 123 severely affected. The CM stated that his government has requested compensation from the Centre, but no relief has been provided.