RTI Reveals Rs 33 Crore Spent on PM Modi's Karnataka Visit Ahead of 2023 Elections

Bengaluru: RTI documents reveal that the then BJP government spent Rs 33 crore on Prime Minister Narendra Modi's one-day visit to Karnataka. The cost details of the Prime Minister's visit, ahead of the 2023 assembly elections, have now been released. The shocking information is contained in the Right to Information response received by social activist Manjunath Hirechowti.

For the inauguration of Shivamogga Airport and the roadshow, Rs 18.81 crore was spent. Additionally, Rs 4.11 crore was spent on hiring 1,800 buses to transport people for the event. An amount of Rs 1.8 crore was allocated from the public exchequer for the German pavilions, the main stage, and decorations. Furthermore, the Public Works Department was granted approval for Rs 14.35 crore for the Prime Minister's travel expenses.

Manjunath Hirechowti has stated that it is not right to waste people's tax money on political campaigns just before elections and that clear guidelines should be issued against this. It is also noteworthy that this information was made available three years after the RTI application was filed.