Bengaluru, April 18 (UNI) Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Thursday reaffirmed his commitment to maintaining the guarantee schemes initiated by his government, dismissing criticisms from BJP State President Vijayendra Yediyurappa.
Responding to Vijayendra's remarks labeling the guarantee schemes as "temporary," Siddaramaiah asserted, "Guarantee schemes will be continued, and for this, we have set aside Rs 52,000 crore in the budget." He stressed the government's financial commitment to these schemes, ensuring their uninterrupted operation.
The Chief Minister's strong stance on the guarantee schemes comes amidst the political campaigning leading up to the Lok Sabha election in Karnataka.
Taking a swipe at Vijayendra's comments, Siddaramaiah questioned the basis of such claims, stating, "What does he mean by temporary? Is he a fortune teller?" Siddaramaiah further expressed confidence in the Congress party's longevity in power, declaring, "In Karnataka, we will remain in power till the end of this term and will return for the next term too. We will not stop guarantee schemes for any reason."
The guarantee schemes introduced by Siddaramaiah's government aim to provide financial security and benefits to various segments of the population. With the allocation of Rs 52,000 crore in the budget, the government seeks to ensure the sustainability and effectiveness of these schemes for the welfare of the people.
In the 2019 parliamentary election, the Congress and its then alliance partner JDS had won just one seat each, while the BJP secured 25 seats. However, the 'political dangal' has shifted this time, with the JDS now allied with the BJP and the Congress contesting all 28 seats independently.
Karnataka is set to go to the polls in two phases. The first phase, covering 14 Lok Sabha segments in the southern part of the state, will be held on April 26, followed by the second phase in the northern districts on May 7.
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