A recent decision to upgrade furniture in Karnataka’s Suvarna Vidhana Soudha has triggered criticism from activists and political leaders alike, after it emerged that the assembly speaker’s chair and related furnishings cost ₹42.93 lakh, despite the venue being used for legislative work only a few days each year.

The furniture replacement, ordered in November on the instructions of Speaker UT Khader, was designed to replicate the dais at the Vidhana Soudha in Bengaluru. It replaced the original setup installed when the Belagavi complex opened in 2013. The substantial expenditure, revealed through documents obtained under the Right to Information (RTI) Act by activist Bhimappa Gadad, has raised questions about government spending priorities.

Gadad also highlighted an additional ₹1.98 lakh spent to repair the Legislative Council Chair’s plywood, frame, and cushioning. At a press conference on Friday, he criticized the administration for failing to prioritize essential services, pointing out that many government offices still lack basic facilities such as separate toilets for women, and students in government schools often sit on the floor in inclement weather. “This is a mockery of public priorities,” Gadad said.

Artwork and Additional Expenditures

The scrutiny extends beyond furniture. Records show that in February 2023, the government paid ₹13.34 lakh to artists for producing seven portraits. Later, an additional ₹67.67 lakh was spent to install 11 portraits and commission a special oil painting for the Anubhava Mantapa. A review by a Karnataka Lalithakala Academy committee noted that several of the portraits did not closely resemble their subjects, leading to further government-approved expenditure: ₹28.49 lakh in October 2024 to redo the works and ₹25.84 lakh in February 2025 for installation.

Political Backlash

The expenditure has become a focal point for opposition criticism. Former Chief Minister and Belagavi MP Jagadish Shettar called the new chair a “dead investment,” questioning why such a lavish expenditure was necessary for a venue hosting legislative sessions only about 10 days a year. “The original furniture was made of teakwood that lasts for generations. Even in Parliament, the presiding officers’ chairs in the old building were never replaced,” he said. Shettar added that the money could have been better spent addressing pressing needs across the state.

Concerns have also emerged from within the ruling Congress party. MLA and former government chief whip Ashok Pattan remarked that the previous furniture required no replacement and was guaranteed to last 100 years. “Spending such a huge amount for minimal use has no justification,” he said.

Public Debate and Future Discussions

The government has not yet issued a formal response to the criticism, but the matter is expected to provoke debate when the legislature convenes in Belagavi. Activists and political leaders alike are questioning the rationale behind investing heavily in furniture and art for a venue used intermittently, arguing that such funds could have been allocated to more critical areas of public service and infrastructure.

The controversy highlights a broader conversation about resource allocation and governance priorities, especially in light of ongoing demands for improved public facilities and essential services across Karnataka.