Vijayanagar Congress MLA HR Gaviyappa stirred controversy by urging Chief Minister Siddaramaiah to revoke two or three of the government’s guarantee schemes, citing challenges in implementing housing projects for the underprivileged. Gaviyappa argued that free travel and other schemes were obstructing the state’s ability to fund essential housing initiatives.
Congress MLA from Vijayanagar, HR Gaviyappa said, "We are requesting the CM to let go of at least two promised (guarantee) schemes. Let's see what the CM decides. We'll stand with CM in whatever decision he takes."
In response, Deputy Chief Minister and KPCC president DK Shivakumar criticized the MLA's remarks, asserting that the Congress party stands firm on its electoral guarantees, reported Times of India. Shivakumar announced that a show-cause notice would be issued to Gaviyappa for his comments, stating that no Congress member could challenge the party’s commitments, as per a report on Times of India.
Gaviyappa's statements follow earlier frustrations over inadequate funding for his constituency, with only Rs 22 crore allocated to Vijayanagar compared to Rs 60-70 crore for neighbouring constituencies, as per a report on India Today. This disparity has further fueled tensions within the party, despite repeated assurances from the state leadership that funds are sufficient.
Meanwhile, the statement comes after Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge pulled up Congress leaders in Karnataka over statement on cancelling the guarantees. "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.
Further, the Congress chief suggested the state make promises that align with their budget.