The Karnataka cabinet, led by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, has approved a ₹600 crore action plan for the development of minority colonies, alongside other infrastructure projects. This decision, made during a cabinet meeting on Thursday, includes support for a 607-km high-speed rail corridor between Hyderabad and Bengaluru and a ₹18,133 crore suburban project in Bengaluru. However, the ruling Congress party faces backlash from the opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which accuses it of engaging in 'minority appeasement' to secure votes. R Ashok, the leader of the opposition in the Karnataka assembly, criticized the government for neglecting pressing issues such as the lack of funds for local elections and inadequate salaries for workers. The announcement also comes amid internal strife within the Congress party, following the resignation of K Abdul Jabbar, head of the Minority Department, over candidate selection disputes for the upcoming Davanagere South bypoll.