Overview

• The senior Congress MLA said he would not have implemented the schemes if he were chief minister and called the ₹2,000 monthly payment to women a lottery.
• He mocked elements of Gruha Lakshmi, Gruha Jyothi, Shakti free bus travel, Anna Bhagya rice distribution and the proposed Indira Kit at a public event in Dandeli.
• Leader of Opposition R Ashoka endorsed the criticism as the truth, and Council Opposition Leader Chalavadi Narayana Swamy warned of bankruptcy in the name of guarantees.
• Home minister G. Parameshwara defended the programmes, saying development has not been stunted and challenging Deshpande to stop them only if he becomes chief minister.
• After the video spread widely, Deshpande issued a clarification stating he meant to commend Chief Minister Siddaramaiah’s pro-people approach and was not opposing the guarantees.