‘State BJP’s stance on guarantee schemes before opposing them,’ Siddaramaiah tells Modi

Bengaluru: Asserting that Karnataka’s model of governance is what is needed for the entire country, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Wednesday asked Prime Minister Narendra Modi to state his and BJP’s stance clearly about the guarantee schemes before opposing them.

Highlighting certain “freebie schemes” announced by the BJP government at the Centre and in few states ruled by the party, he questioned the Prime Minister about the contradiction. The Chief Minister said this in a series of tweets, reacting to Modi’s statement in Pune on Tuesday accusing the ruling Congress in Karnataka of “emptying” state coffers for selfish interests.

He had said in Karnataka, where the Congress came to power nearly three months ago after ousting the BJP from office in the May assembly polls, the Siddaramaiah government has admitted state coffers are empty and there are no funds for development. The Prime Minister said the Congress managed to come to power in the southern state by making populist announcements, but in the process it has jeopardised the people’s future.

“Thanks to Prime Minister @narendramodi for his concern about Karnataka’s finances due to the implementation of the guarantee schemes in Karnataka. Mr. Narendra Modi, please make it clear whether this is your personal opinion, the opinion as the Prime Minister of India, or the opinion of your party?” Siddaramaiah said.

“Please state your and your party’s stance clearly about the guarantee schemes before opposing them,” he urged the Prime Minister, and asked him to direct the Karnataka BJP leaders to publicly oppose Congress’ guarantee schemes as well. “We are ready to face the next Lok Sabha elections with the guarantee schemes as our main agenda,” he added.

Pointing out that Karnataka BJP leaders are demanding the Congress government to implement all its guarantee schemes immediately, Siddaramaiah said, former Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa even made a loud protest on this issue. “What is your opinion on this, Mr. Narendra Modi?” “BJP, in its manifesto, had announced to give three free gas cylinders and half a liter of milk a day. Is this not a freebie, Mr. Narendra Modi?,” he asked. Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister has announced the “Ladli-Behena” scheme, where the government will deposit Rs 1,000 per month into the accounts of women beneficiaries, and he has promised to increase it to Rs 3,000, he further pointed out, questioning, “Is this not a free scheme as well? Is the PM-Kisan Samman Yojana, which deposits Rs 6,000 annually into the accounts of farmers, not a freebie as per your definition, Mr. Modi?”

Noting that the Central Government is implementing eight freebie schemes with an estimated budget outlay of Rs 1.25 lakh crore, the Chief Minister questioned “Do these schemes not contradict your own statements, Mr. Modi?”

“The people of Karnataka, who have suffered from inflation and unemployment, have rejected the BJP and their economic mismanagement. We are making the best efforts to fight against the financial crisis, relieve the burden of debt, and ensure social security for the common people. Karnataka’s model of governance is what is needed for the entire country,” he added.