Accusing the BJP government at the Centre of snatching people’s money and handing it over to the rich, AICC president Rahul Gandhi on Saturday said the Congress government in Karnataka, in contrast, was investing money on the welfare of the people.
At a party rally here, Mr. Gandhi said the Narendra Modi government, which had refused to waive farm loans, had waived off ₹2.5 lakh crore of public money to benefit a handful of the rich.
On the other hand, the Congress government in Karnataka invests State funds on education, health, farmers. and farmers’ loan waiver, he said. The Congress government, which waived ₹8,000 crore of farm loans, had spent three times more than the previous BJP government in Karnataka on providing irrigation. The Siddaramaiah government has filled over 2 lakh lakes and provided interest-free loans up to ₹3 lakh to thousands of farmers, he said.
While the previous BJP government misused public money through corrupt practices, the Congress government had provided rice to the poor under Anna Bhagya, milk under Ksheera Bhagya, free cycles to five lakh students, and books to 61 lakh students. The government will also provide free education to girls till they complete their post-graduation, he added. Half of the amount spent by the Modi government on SC and ST welfare in the country has been spent by the Siddaramaiah government in Karnataka alone, he said.
Recalling his interaction with students of Maharani’s college in Mysuru earlier in the day, Mr. Gandhi said a student told him that demonetisation brought no change or benefit to the country. A questioner also wondered why several slabs were needed for GST. “When 18 to 20 year old girls can understand economics, why can’t our Prime Minister?, Mr Gandhi remarked.
‘Curse’ exorcised: CM
By visiting Chamarajanagar on nine occasions since he became the Chief Minister, Siddaramaiah on Saturday said he had exorcised the “curse” surrounding a visit to the town by the Chief Minister.
Prior to him, Chief Ministers were under a superstitious belief that they would lose their seat if they visit Chamarajanagar and they would steer clear of the border district. “I have not only broken the jinx, I also proved to everybody that Chief Ministers should visit Chamarajanagar if they wish to complete their full five-year term in office,” he said.
He even referred to the former Chief Minister B.S. Yeddyurappa’s failure to visit the district even once. In future, he said, all Chief Ministers will visit Chamarajanagar and ensure its all-round development.
