<h1>Karnataka Deputy CM Criticizes Former BJP Govt for Unpaid Contractor Bills; Prioritizes Payments by Seniority Amid Budget Constraints</h1> Karnataka's Deputy Chief Minister criticized the former BJP government for a backlog of unpaid contractor bills, attributing it to excessive work done by contractors. With ongoing projects valued at Rs 1.2 lakh crore and a limited budget, the state is prioritizing payments by seniority, focusing on small contractors first. The Chief Minister also blamed contractors for initiating projects without budgetary provisions, leading to accumulated pending bills. The Karnataka State Contractors' Association accused the current administration of higher corruption levels than the previous government and plans to escalate the issue to national leaders.