9 June 2024: In the aftermath of the Lok Sabha elections, M Lakshmana, the Congress candidate who was defeated in the Mysore-Kodagu constituency, has called for a reconsideration of the party’s guarantee schemes, reports Deccan Herald. He suggests that the electoral outcome indicates a significant portion of the electorate’s disapproval of these initiatives.
During a press briefing on Saturday, Lakshmana stated, “BJP leaders criticized the guarantee schemes throughout the campaign, and the electoral results suggest that the public may be against them. Therefore, it would be prudent for Chief Minister Siddaramaiah to reevaluate these schemes.”
Lakshmana highlighted that over 70% of the beneficiaries of these schemes belong to the upper classes, questioning the rationale behind providing benefits like free electricity to individuals with considerable incomes and expensive assets. He advocated for a more targeted approach, suggesting that benefits should be reconsidered for those earning over Rs. 25,000 and owning luxury items.
Earlier this year, Congress MLA from Magadi, H.C. Balakrishna, a loyalist of Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar, expressed similar concerns, stating that the five guarantees should be halted if the party performed poorly in the Lok Sabha elections.
The election results have sparked a debate within the Congress party about the future of these guarantee schemes, as the leadership considers adjustments in response to voter feedback.
