In February 2024, D.K. Suresh (at the time a Member of Parliament) sparked controversy by suggesting that South India may need to demand a "separate country" due to perceived fiscal injustices by the central government. Suresh made this statement while reacting to the Union Budget, arguing that funds intended for South Indian states were being disproportionately redirected to North India. He highlighted that Karnataka, despite being a significant contributor to the national tax pool, faced budgetary neglect, which he attributed to policies that disadvantage the southern states.
The remarks drew immediate criticism from BJP leaders, including Tejasvi Surya, who accused Suresh of attempting to divide the nation. Surya pointed out the increase in tax devolution to Karnataka under the NDA government, contrasting it with the Congress's alleged "divide and rule" tactics. R. Ashoka, another BJP leader from Karnataka, condemned the statement as divisive, linking it to Congress’s history of partition and contrasting it with Rahul Gandhi’s “Bharat Jodo Yatra” initiative aimed at uniting India.
In response, D.K. Shivakumar, Suresh’s brother and Karnataka Congress chief, clarified that Suresh was echoing the sentiments of people who feel neglected, while reiterating his commitment to a united India. Suresh later clarified his stance on social media, describing himself as a "proud Indian and a proud Kannadiga" and emphasizing his commitment to the unity of India, while underscoring the need for fair financial treatment for Karnataka and the southern states.[3][4][5][6]
