The Karnataka BJP has raised objections to the decision made by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah's Congress-led government to allocate nearly Rs 32 crore for the upkeep of Waqf Board properties.
Under this initiative, the Karnataka government has disbursed Rs 3,184.50 lakh for the construction of compounds and the safeguarding of 416 Waqf properties across the state.
Expressing criticism towards the state administration, BJP leader Basanagouda Patil Yatnal remarked, "Rather than aiding the drought-affected farmers, the state government seems intent on erecting compounds to protect Waqf properties. This underscores the government's misplaced priorities. Why the urgency to safeguard Waqf properties when the state is grappling with challenges? This appears to be nothing but a form of appeasement politics. As noted by Dr. Subramanian Swamy, the level of ignorance within the Congress is astounding."
In response, Congress MLA Rizwan Arshad accused the BJP of injecting a "communal aspect" into the government's decision.
Arshad queried, "Why is the BJP reducing our share of central taxes? The very same BJP, which is quick to point fingers at communal angles, lacks the courage to question the central leadership regarding the decreased allocation of funds for Kannadigas."
"Waqf properties are considered quasi-governmental assets. The funds allocated for their maintenance are part of the overall budget, just like those allocated for other departments," Arshad further clarified.
