Bengaluru/Mangaluru: The opposition BJP was up in arms in criticism of the maiden budget of the Congress-Janata Dal (Secular) coalition government for the state. The Leader of Opposition in Karnataka Legislative Assembly B S Yeddyurappa came down heavily on the government for an “unfair budget” that “burdens the common man by hiking tax rates” and “betrays the farmers with lies.”

Talking to reporters, Yeddyurappa said that the coalition government should be ashamed of the budget based on lies and deceit. “The government has deceived the farmers”, he said.

The BJP leader also criticised the budget for ignoring the North Karnataka, Malnad and coastal regions. He accused the government of giving prominence to only three districts in the state. “Regions, where JD(S) has a strong presence, have been given importance and other places have been neglected”, he said.

Terming it the “budget of the brothers”, Yeddyurappa promised further action after careful evaluation of the provisions of the budget. “We will evaluate the budget as well as our next course of action on July 12”, he added.

Representatives from the coast disappointed

The MLAs from the coast expressed their displeasure at the step-motherly treatment of the region in the budget provisions.

Criticising the chief minister for neglecting the coastal districts, Belthangady MLA Harish Poonja said, “People had hopes that the CM would announce relief for the Endosulfan victims here but he has neglected the genuine aspirations of the victims. Kumaraswamy will pay the price for this in the coming days.”