Facing inflation heat, BJP is promising guarantees in Maharashtra on the lines of Congress in Karnataka, says D.K. Shivakumar

D.K. Shivakumar criticizes BJP's guarantee schemes in Maharashtra, accuses PM Modi of favoring industrialists over the poor.

Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar on Saturday said the BJP had announced guarantee schemes in Maharashtra, on the lines of the Congress in Karnataka, as it was feeling the heat of inflation.

Speaking to reporters here before departing for the election campaign in Maharashtra, he said, “The BJP has understood the impact of inflation now and hence it is offering ₹2,100 for women in Maharashtra. They are also following the Karnataka welfare model. We have offered ₹2,000 to women under the Gruha Lakshmi scheme.” Maharashtra goes to the polls on November 20.

Displaying the advertisement issued by the BJP in Maharashtra about the Karnataka guarantees, he said, “The BJP issued false advertisements stating that the Congress had not implemented the guarantee schemes in Karnataka. We extended an open invitation to their Ministers to visit Karnataka and see the guarantee schemes for themselves. We offered to organise chartered buses and flights.”

“As per our internal survey, we are likely to win 160 seats,” he said, adding that he would continue the campaign on Sunday too.

Meanwhile, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, addressing an election rally organised by the Maharashtra Congress at Mangalwedha in Solapur district, also spoke about inflation and lashed out at the BJP for being “the party of the rich and upper castes”.

Mr. Siddaramaiah accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of focusing solely on increasing the wealth of industrialists such as Ambani and Adani, doing nothing to improve the lives of the poor, farmers, workers, and labourers.

Mr. Modi has not provided relief to the poor. Instead, prices of petrol, diesel, gas, pulses, and other essentials have soared due to faulty policies of his government, the Chief Minister said. “The Prime Minister promised ‘achhe din’ (good days), but where are they? Mr. Modi claimed he would curb price hike, yet the prices have reached unbearable levels,” said Mr. Siddaramaiah.