Karnataka Congress MLA RV Deshpande Criticises Siddharamaiah Over Freebie Schemes, BJP Welcomes His Remarks

Senior Congress MLA and former minister RV Deshpande stirred controversy in Karnataka after he criticised the state government’s flagship welfare schemes, saying he would not have implemented them as chief minister, reported Hindustan Times.

At a public event in Dandeli, Deshpande questioned the economic and social impact of the programs, arguing they had altered gender dynamics and strained public finances.

“The Siddaramaiah government gave five guarantees, Rs 2,000 every month to women -- it’s a lottery for them. The situation of men has worsened. If men speak much, they will be punished,” he said.

The eight-time Haliyal MLA targeted the Gruha Lakshmi and Gruha Jyothi schemes, which provide cash aid to women and free electricity to households, calling them populist measures introduced without foresight.

“God knows who advised Siddaramaiah. If I were the CM, I would not have implemented it,” Deshpande added.

He also criticised the Shakti program, offering free bus travel for women, and mocked the Anna Bhagya initiative, which supplies 10 kg of free rice per person monthly, as well as plans to distribute Indira Kits with cooking essentials.

“Buses, oh my God! Women have left for Dharwad, Belagavi, Kalaburagi and Yellamma temple. These are all-women’s buses. These are the programmes of Siddaramaiah,” he said.

“Let women take them and enjoy. Even we don’t know what more he is going to give. I don’t know what magic Siddaramaiah is doing. I am unable to understand.”

Launched in May 2023, the five guarantees—Gruha Jyothi, Gruha Lakshmi, Anna Bhagya, Yuva Nidhi, and Shakti—cost Rs 51,034 crore this fiscal. While the government defends them as pro-poor measures, some Congress members worry the schemes limit funds for development.

Opposition leaders welcomed Deshpande’s remarks. R Ashoka called them “the truth,” while Chalavadi Narayana Swamy said, “Bankruptcy is happening in the name of guarantee. Congress people are opposing the guarantee from within.”

Home Minister G Parameshwara replied, “When he becomes the CM, let him stop the guarantee if he wants. How can anyone say development is stunted?”

Soon after the Congress government had come to power, Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar had also highlighted the strain on funds caused by the government’s freebies, saying that allocation for development work in assembly constituencies would not be possible during that year as the top priority was implementing the five pre-poll guarantees.

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