Budget session: CM Siddaramaiah, Dy CM Shivakumar arrive at Vidhana Soudha, BJP protests

BENGALURU: Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar arrived at the Vidhana Soudha on Monday as the state budget session commenced.

The legislature session began today with Speaker UT Khader, Council Chairman Basavaraj Horatti, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy CM DK Shivakumar extending a warm welcome to Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot upon his arrival at Vidhana Soudha to participate in the proceedings.

#WATCH | Bengaluru: Karnataka Minister Priyank Kharge says, ” BJP, instead of protecting Governor and Governor’s office, which he is capable of doing himself, BJP should first start protesting against central govt who is repeatedly insulting Karnataka and… pic.twitter.com/AG2zb6nrEi

— ANI (@ANI) March 3, 2025

On February 17, Siddaramaiah stated that the Governor would give his speech on March 3, and a discussion would be held for the next three days. CM Siddaramaiah added that he will present the Budget on March 7.

“On March 3, Assembly Session will begin. As it’s the first session of this year, the Governor’s address will be made. Discussion on the address will be held for three days. Then, on March 7, the Budget will be presented. After the discussion, I’ll speak at the end of March”, he said.

Siddaramaiah previously said that the previous BJP government did not achieve any progress; they just “looted,” adding that the Congress government implemented guarantee schemes along with development programmes. “Basavaraj Bommai presented a budget that was about Rs 3.09 lakh crore in February 2023. The size of the budget presented by me for the years 2024-25 is Rs 3,71,343 crore”, he said.

Meanwhile, the BJP protested outside the Vidhana Soudha on Monday against the rise in prices of electricity and milk and the MUDA scam.

#WATCH | Bengaluru: BJP leaders carry out a protest march against Congress govt in Karnataka. https://t.co/nZQkTaNHce pic.twitter.com/rsmjxZ18a2

— ANI (@ANI) March 3, 2025

BJP leader C T Ravi said, “Nearly two years have gone by. Congress government has raised the bills from solar electricity to milk… Petrol and diesel prices in the state have increased because the state government increased the petrol cess… Everyone knows the law and order situation in the state…”

#WATCH | Bengaluru: Karnataka BJP President BY Vijayendra says, “The state Congress government is repeatedly insulting the Raj Bhavan. The Congress government, which repeatedly claims it believes in the Constitution and Babasaheb Ambedkar, is repeatedly insulting the Governor.… pic.twitter.com/HhpoF2nsTl

— ANI (@ANI) March 3, 2025

State BJP president B Y Vijayendra said, “The Congress government in the state is repeatedly insulting the Raj Bhavan. The Congress government, which repeatedly claims it believes in the Constitution and Babasaheb Ambedkar, is repeatedly insulting the Governor. Since the Governor had given a sanction for prosecution against the CM in the Mysuru MUDA scam, probably the CM must be upset with the Governor. Hence they are repeatedly insulting the Governor, which is a constitutional post…” (ANI)