After poll setback, Siddaramaiah says guarantees won’t stop as they were not designed for political gains
Siddaramaiah on Tuesday hit back at the Opposition BJP, sending a firm message to the critics of the Congress party’s guarantee schemes by pledging to remain committed to their continued implementation while heaping lavish praises on the Shakti programme – the free bus ride for women – on the day it completed a year since launch.
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“The guarantee schemes will continue. We did not introduce them for political gains but as a demonstration of our commitment and concern for our people,” Siddaramaiah posted on X, lashing out at Opposition leader R Ashoka for commenting that these promises did not lift the Congress party’s fortunes in the elections. The CM said the schemes were aimed at helping all those affected by the ‘misrule’ of the BJP rule at the Centre.
He said it was the BJP’s wish that the guarantee programmes should bankrupt the state, but that wish would not become a reality.
The number of people travelling by buses has doubled after the launch of the Shakti scheme. Not just women, but their family members were also travelling by these buses leading to a jump in the revenues. The monthly revenue of transport corporations has jumped from Rs 250 crore to Rs 400 crore and strengthened them financially. As much as 57.5% of travellers were outside of the Shakti scheme, Siddaramaiah said.
Women
