Kharge Took Class To Karnataka Government

Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge has urged the Karnataka government and other Congress-led states to ensure their promises align with financial realities. This follows remarks by Karnataka's Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar about reassessing the ‘Shakti’ scheme which offers free bus rides to women. Kharge emphasized that pledges should match budgets to avoid financial strain potentially affecting infrastructure projects.

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) seized on Shivakumar's comments accusing Congress of making unfeasible promises for electoral gain. BJP leaders Ravi Shankar and Union Minister Pralhad Joshi criticized Congress citing internal party disagreements. However, Karnataka's Transport Minister Ramalinga Reddy reassured the public that the ‘Shakti’ scheme would continue without review.

Following Kharge’s caution, Shivakumar defended Karnataka's "guarantee model," calling it a national example that has been replicated by other parties, expressing pride in the state’s leadership on this initiative.