Congress’ Guarantee Schemes Bankrupting Karnataka, Says Deve Gowda

Former Prime Minister H.D. Deve Gowda has raised alarm over Karnataka’s deteriorating financial health, attributing the crisis to the Congress government’s ambitious "five guarantee" schemes. Speaking at a press conference on Friday, the Janata Dal (Secular) patriarch claimed that these populist measures have left the state’s treasury depleted, with insufficient funds to address critical issues like the severe flooding in six northern districts, including Kalaburagi.

"The financial condition of Karnataka has collapsed under the weight of these guarantees," Deve Gowda stated. "It’s not just my view—Congress MLAs themselves are admitting there’s no money left, not even to tackle the devastating floods." He highlighted the plight of flood-affected regions, announcing plans to visit Kalaburagi and nearby areas within a week to assess the damage firsthand. The 92-year-old leader also intends to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi to seek central assistance for those impacted by the floods.

The Congress government’s flagship schemes—‘Gruha Jyothi’ (200 units of free electricity per household), ‘Gruha Lakshmi’ (Rs 2,000 monthly for women heads of families), ‘Anna Bhagya’ (10 kg of rice per BPL family member), ‘Yuva Nidhi’ (Rs 3,000 for unemployed graduates and Rs 1,500 for diploma holders aged 18-25), and ‘Shakti’ (free bus travel for women in non-luxury state buses)—were launched with much fanfare to fulfill election promises. However, critics, including Deve Gowda, argue that these initiatives are straining Karnataka’s finances to a breaking point.

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Adding to the controversy, Deve Gowda pointed to growing discontent within the ruling party, noting that Congress MLAs are openly expressing concerns about the lack of funds for development and disaster management. "There’s confusion and frustration among their own ranks," he said, suggesting that the state government’s focus on populist schemes has compromised its ability to govern effectively.

The floods in north Karnataka have displaced thousands and caused significant damage to infrastructure and agriculture, amplifying the urgency for financial resources. Deve Gowda criticized the state’s preparedness, claiming that the government’s priorities have left it ill-equipped to handle such crises.

As Karnataka grapples with these challenges, the former PM’s remarks have sparked a political firestorm, with opposition parties likely to seize the opportunity to question the Congress government’s fiscal policies. Whether the state can balance its welfare commitments with essential governance remains a pressing question.

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