Bengaluru, July 5: Karnataka Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy will present the maiden Budget of the JD(S)-Congress coalition government in the state today. Kumaraswamy, who holds the Finance portfolio, will begin his budgetary speech in Vidhana Soudha at 11:30 am. Click here to watch live streaming of Karnataka Budget 2018 presentation on TV9 News channel in Kannada. Catch live updates on Karnataka Budget presentation here.

CM Kumaraswamy is most likely to announce the much-awaited farm loan waiver scheme while presenting the state Budget for this fiscal. The Budget presentation also became a bone of contention between Congress leader Siddaramaiah and Kumaraswamy with the former chief minister asking his successor to present a Supplementary Budget since he had presented the Budget for this fiscal on February 16.

However, Kumaraswamy spoke to Congress president Rahul Gandhi and secured his approval to present the full Budget. JD(S) leader Kumaraswamy formed the government in coalition with the Congress after Assembly polls in the state threw a fractured mandate in May. The BJP emerged as the largest party, with 104 seats, but failed to win a majority. Later, JD(S) and Congress made a post-poll alliance and formed the government.

Watch Live Streaming of Karnataka Budget 2018 Presentation From Vidhana Soudha on TV9 in Kannada Below:

Ahead of the Budget presentation, opposition BJP leader B S Yeddyurappa sought a White Paper on the state's finances, alleging that the government hasn't cleared loans and bills amounting to Rs 2.38-lakh crore. "The coalition government should first present a White Paper on the state's finances, which are under stress due to a mismatch between revenue collection and expenditure," Yeddyurappa told reporters.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jul 05, 2018 10:59 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).