Bengaluru, Feb 21 (Reporter) Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Friday hit back at the opposition over allegations regarding the state's financial health, accusing the BJP of fiscal mismanagement during its tenure and asserting that the state’s economy remains stable under his government. Responding to accusations made by BJP state president Vijayendra Yediyurappa and former Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai, Siddaramaiah dismissed claims that Karnataka was heading towards financial instability. He countered that the BJP, while in power, had pushed the state's economy to the brink of collapse through reckless expenditure and unfulfilled commitments. "The opposition is raising questions about financial discipline when they themselves left behind unpaid bills worth ₹2.7 lakh crore across key departments, including Public Works, Urban Development, and Rural Development," Siddaramaiah said. He further alleged that the BJP government had approved projects worth ₹1.66 lakh crore under the Chief Minister’s discretionary fund without adequate financial backing. The Chief Minister criticised the BJP-led central government for failing to adequately compensate Karnataka under the GST framework, resulting in an estimated annual revenue loss of ₹18,000-20,000 crore. He also highlighted the state's declining share in tax devolution, stating that Karnataka has suffered an annual shortfall of ₹22,000 crore due to an unfair allocation formula. Siddaramaiah maintained that despite these challenges, Karnataka’s economy remains robust, with an 18.3% average budget growth over the past two years, compared to 5% during the BJP’s tenure. “Our fiscal deficit remains under 3%, and we have managed to keep our total liabilities below 25% of GSDP, a mark of responsible governance,” he asserted. The Chief Minister also pointed to Karnataka’s capital expenditure, which stands at 15.01% of the budget, higher than that of neighbouring states like Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, and Telangana. He reaffirmed his government's commitment to guarantee schemes and infrastructure development, stating that over ₹52,000 crore had been allocated for welfare initiatives, while investments worth ₹10.27 lakh crore had been secured during the recent Invest Karnataka summit. Hitting out at the BJP, Siddaramaiah questioned their silence over the Centre’s increasing debt burden, which has reportedly surged from ₹53.11 lakh crore in 2013-14 to ₹200.16 lakh crore by 2026. He further alleged that state finances across the country have suffered due to the Modi government’s economic policies. The Chief Minister urged the opposition to engage in constructive dialogue rather than spreading misinformation. “Karnataka’s economy is strong enough to withstand the BJP’s political conspiracies. We will continue to fight for the state’s rightful share and ensure economic stability for our people,” he said...////...