Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge on Thursday hit out at the Karnataka government after Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar suggested that a key guarantee of the government would be reviewed.
The Congress president, in a humorous yet subtle manner, pulled up Shivakumar before media for his statement.
"You have given some guarantees. After seeing them, I too said in Maharashtra that there are five guarantees in Karnataka. Now you (Shivakumar) said you mentioned that you would cancel one of those guarantees. It seems like you don't all read the newspapers, but I do, so I'm telling you this,” Kharge said at a press conference.
Kharge was referring to Shivakumar's statement that the state government would review the 'Shakti' guarantee. The Congress government had introduced Shakti in Karnataka, one of the five guarantees offering free ride for women in the non-luxury government buses.
The Congress chief underlined the importance of financial responsibility, saying that if governments would be unable to deliver upon its guarantees, it would lead to direpute.
"I advised Maharashtra Congress leaders not to keep making promises of five, six, seven, or eight guarantees. Instead, make promises that align with your budget. Making promises without considering the budget could lead to bankruptcy; there wouldn’t even be money to put sand on the roads," he said.
"If this government fails, it will impact future generations. It could lead to disrepute, and the government might face restrictions for the next ten years," he added.
However, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar, who were sitting next to him chuckled and rejected Kharge's statement.
Siddaramaiah said the Deputy CM has only said the government would review it. In reply, Kharge said, "Whatever (DCM) you have said has given them (BJP) a chance."
The Congress chief underlined the need to stay united and never get divided under any circumstances.
Meanwhile, the BJP alleged that the Congress was making promises in states like Himachal Pradesh, Karnataka and Telangana which were not fiscally doable and was fooling the people.
"Today, the Congress party has accepted through its President that what they have been doing is an attempt to deceive the public! Will Kharge Ji apologise for what his party has done to the people? For what's happening in Telangana, Karnataka, and Himachal Pradesh?" BJP leader Ravi Shankar Prasad said.