New Delhi: Facing backlash from both the opposition BJP and Congress leadership, Karnataka deputy chief minister DK Shivakumar on Friday asserted that the state’s “guarantee model” serves as a blueprint for the entire country, receiving praise from various parties, including the BJP. “We are proud that we could implement this model and deliver on our promises. The people of Karnataka and the country are very happy with our model,” Shivakumar stated.
This declaration comes amid rising tensions within the Congress party, particularly following Shivakumar’s comments about a potential review of the Shakti scheme, which provides free bus travel for women in state-owned non-luxury buses. Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge publicly reprimanded Shivakumar for his remarks, joking, “You (Shivakumar) said you will drop one guarantee.”
A claim and a clarification from Shivakumar
On Wednesday, Shivakumar had indicated that several women had reached out to him via social media and email, expressing a desire to pay for their tickets. He added that soon he would hold a meeting with transport minister Ramalinga Reddy on this. Later, Shivakumar clarified that he had not suggested any review of the scheme, claiming his statement had been misinterpreted. He added that he only favoured a discussion with the transport minister.
Chief minister Siddaramaiah intervened to emphasize that Shivakumar merely suggested a review, not a cancellation, of the scheme, asserting there is no current proposal to alter any government guarantees. “I don’t know about Shivakumar saying a section of the commuters wants to pay for their travel,” Siddaramaiah remarked.
‘Disastrous failship programs’
The controversy escalated when BJP leaders criticized Congress’s management of its guarantee schemes. BJP National spokesperson CR Kesavan condemned Congress for what he termed “disastrous failship programs,” alleging they have led state economies into financial despair. “The so-called flagship programs of the Congress-ruled states have turned out to be disastrous failship programs that have wrecked the state economies and sunk them into financial despair and brink of bankruptcy,” he said while talking to news agency ANI.
Amid internal pressures, many senior Congress ministers and MLAs are reportedly advocating for a more strategic approach to guarantee schemes, aiming to redirect saved funds toward developmental projects.
