Siddaramaiah to lead Karnataka govt's 'Chalo Delhi' protest at Jantar Mantar on Feb 7

Siddaramaiah invited the BJP MPs and MLAs from Karnataka to join the protest

Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, along with all Congress MLAs in the state, will be leading the 'Chalo Delhi' protest at the national capital's Jantar Mantar on February 7 to protest against the alleged lack of funds transferred to the state by the Centre.

Siddaramaiah has blamed the Centre's "step motherly" treatment towards Karnataka as the reason behind a loss of over Rs 45,000 crore to the state in the last four years.

He also claimed that the taxes paid by Kannadigas were not useful for the state's difficult times, and the money was going to northern states.

"Karnataka has faced significant challenges with a reduced tax devolution share post the 15th Finance Commission, resulting in a loss of over Rs 45,000 crore in the last 4 years. This injustice cannot stand," Siddaramaiah said.

"We stand united in demanding fair treatment and justice for Kannadigas to secure our state's welfare," he said in a post on 'X' with the hashtag "#SouthTaxMovement".

Further extending support to campaigns on social media condemning the "injustice" being done to Karnataka by the Central government in tax devolution, the chief minister said, "the taxes paid by Kannadigas are not useful for our difficult times and it (money) is going to northern states."

He said, "The northern states, which are indebted to taxes paid by southern states, can never be a model for us. Everyone should get over this false idea. Karnataka, which is building a strong nation with hard work, is a model for India." Thanking the people of the state who have raised their voice for justice, he said, adding "I am with you, if all our voices are united, it will be heard till Delhi."