CM Siddaramaiah Targets Kerala Govt, Backs UDF in Manjeshwar Rally

Mangalore Today News Network

Manjeshwar, April 5, 2025: Siddaramaiah, Chief Minister of Karnataka, on Sunday criticised his Kerala counterpart Pinarayi Vijayan, alleging that Kerala is heading towards financial distress under the LDF government.

Addressing an election rally in Manjeshwar in Kasaragod district, Siddaramaiah sought votes for UDF candidate AKM Ashraf and contrasted Karnataka’s economic performance with that of Kerala. He pointed to higher unemployment and inflation in Kerala, claiming unemployment stood at 8 per cent compared to Karnataka’s 2.5 per cent, while inflation in Kerala had crossed 8 per cent.

He further stated that Kerala’s debt-to-GDP ratio had reached 35 per cent, exceeding the recommended 25 per cent, and the fiscal deficit stood at 3.5 per cent, above the ideal 3 per cent.

Urging voters to support the UDF, Siddaramaiah said the front would implement welfare guarantees similar to those introduced in Karnataka. He asserted that the Congress and UDF have consistently supported pro-poor policies.

Criticising the BJP, Siddaramaiah accused the party of being anti-Constitution, anti-poor, anti-Dalit, and anti-minority, while favouring corporates. He highlighted Karnataka’s “five guarantees” scheme, stating that the state spends ₹52,000 crore annually on welfare programmes, which he claimed have strengthened the economy despite opposition criticism.

Earlier, Siddaramaiah remarked that Manjeshwar culturally resonates with Karnataka. He said Kannada is widely spoken in the region and noted the contributions of literary figures such as Manjeshwara Govinda Pai and Kayyara Kiyanna Rai in bringing recognition to the area.