Government, opposition likely to lock horns over Centre-State row as Karnataka Budget session begins Monday
The Congress government is expected to showcase its agenda ahead of the Lok Sabha polls later this year through the Governor's address and presentation of the State Budget, while the opposition BJP and JD(S), which are set to fight the polls jointly, look to show the government in poor light by highlighting the allegations against the administration.
The 10-day session, which will commence with Governor Thawaarchand Gehlot's address to the joint session of both houses of the state legislature, will see Chief Minister Siddaramaiah presenting his record 15th Budget on February 16.
The session, which will conclude on February 23, is also expected to be stormy as the united opposition of the BJP and JD(S) are likely to corner the government on a host of issues, which the ruling Congress has vowed to strongly counter them.
The BJP and JD(S) are expected to attack the Siddaramaiah administration, alleging poor management of the drought situation, lack of development, deteriorating law and order situation, mismanagement of state's finances, and corruption, among other issues.
Karnataka State Contractors' Association President D Kempanna's recent allegation that the former BJP administration's practice of taking 40 per cent 'commission' on government contracts continues even under the Congress dispensation because of corrupt officials, is likely to give ammunition for the opposition to attack the government.
Incidents of disturbances, some of them with communal undertones, are also likely to come up, including the
