Budget for minorities gets 4 times jump but why no hike for tribals, Amit Shah attacks Siddaramaiah

BENGALURU: Addressing a Scheduled Tribe convention in Challakere in poll-bound Karnataka, Bharatiya Janata Party chief Amit Shah on Tuesday attacked Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, claiming that the present government has done injustice to the tribals. 

"The present Siddaramaiah government has done nothing for the Tribals apart from meting out injustice to them. Congress has only indulged in vote-bank politics disregarding the interests of the Tribal community. They will get a befitting reply in the elections for ignoring the Tribals," he said.

He claimed that while the Siddaramaiah government sanctioned Rs 530 crore for the minorities, it only sanctioned Rs 123 crore for the scholarship of SC and ST students.  "The height of Siddaramaiah's appeasement politics can be seen in his decision to sanction about Rs123 crore for the scholarship of SC & ST students against Rs 530 crore for the minorities. The budget for minorities has seen 4 times jump with no increase in budget for the Tribals," he claimed.

Shah added that if the BJP comes to power in the upcoming elections in the state, it will ensure the welfare of tribal communities. "The upcoming BJP government in Karnataka will ensure the welfare of the Tribal communities and will work for the upliftment of the Poor, Dalits and Tribals alike," he said.

Speaking to the tribals, he said that various measures have been taken by Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the upliftment of the community. "The Centre will build Advasi Welfare Foundation in each tribal district at a cost of Rs 6,000 crore. Karnataka will get Rs 600 crore. Each district will have an Ekalavya Residential School. The Tribal welfare budget has been increased from Rs 19,000 crore during UPA rule to Rs 31,000 crore now," he said.

Shah also accused the Siddaramaiah government of insulting Madakari Nayaka, the last ruler of Chitradurga region, by giving prominence to 18th century Mysore ruler Tipu Sultan and his father Hyder Ali. Madakari Nayaka had bravely fought Hyder Ali before falling prey to his rival's tactics.

Hailing from the Nayaka community, Madakari Nayaka lost the Chitradurga region in a siege by Hyder Ali, then Mysore ruler, in the 18th century. Shah said in this SC/ST dominated area in Chitradurga district, if BJP comes to power, it will build a memorial for Madakari Nayaka.