Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar have publicly condemned the Election Commission's request for details on the release of funds for welfare schemes during the ongoing bypolls in Davangere and Bagalkot districts. They allege that the BJP is behind a conspiracy to halt these payments, which they argue are essential for the poor, women, and unemployed youth. Shivakumar emphasized that the Congress government has disbursed over ₹1.25 lakh crore on these schemes over the past two and a half years, asserting that all payments are made legally and transparently. He reassured beneficiaries that funds would continue to be released, even after the elections. Siddaramaiah further criticized the Election Commission's inquiry as suspicious and biased, pointing out that similar schemes in other states have not faced such scrutiny. This political controversy underscores the tensions between the ruling Congress and the opposition BJP, with the outcome potentially influencing voter sentiment in the upcoming bypolls.