Guarantee schemes a powerful tool for progress

Ahead of the Karnataka Assembly polls in 2023, the Congress party, then in the Opposition, had proudly announced its five guarantee schemes. They were Anna Bhagya or free grains,  Gruha Lakshmi  for distribution of Rs 2000 cash to women heads of families,  Gruha Jyothi  for distribution of free power up to 200 units,  Shakti Free Bus Scheme  for free bus travel for women and the Yuva Nidhi Scheme  for distribution of cash for unemployed graduates and diploma holders.

Considering the number of promises political parties have made in the past, failing to live up to them after the polls, many citizens felt this was just another poll ploy to garner power from the ruling BJP. As expected the Congress swept to power with the saffronists losing their only citadel in South India.In the space of two years, the Congress government led by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy CM DK Shivakumar has not only fulfilled  the guarantees but has also ensured that it won the by polls held subsequently, all because of the goodwill earned due to the implementation of the guarantee schemes.

Women are traveling throughout the state free of cost in state-run buses while a power subsidy up to 200 units has ensured that the common citizen has enough money in his pocket to spend on other essentials.  Youngsters eagerly waiting for jobs, are receiving a dole to fulfil their needs till they are suitably placed while women heads of families are also getting an allowance which has served as a means of empowerment for them amid rising costs of everything from food to fuel. And the Anna Bhaygya scheme for supply of free grains has made sure no one goes hungry in Karnataka and is provided enough food grains for at least two square meals a day.

So it is no surprise that the opposition BJP, left without a political agenda to target the Congress, has tried to use the ‘good offices’ of former PM and JD(S) supremo Deve Gowda to slam the guarantees, saying they are draining the state exchequer. Gowda has also said a couple of days ago that the substantial amount spent on the guarantees has left the exchequer with no money to spend on relief efforts in North Karnataka, now reeling from floods.

Congress leaders have been quick to see through the BJP’s plan to utilise the JD(S) supremo to target them. The saffronists no doubt, are becoming impatient with their unceasing efforts to unsettle the Congress government, failing to reach anywhere. Neither their efforts to exploit a reported power tussle between Siddaramaiah and DK Shivakumar, nor  their constant harping on the’ pro-minority’ slant of the government, have helped in regaining any of their eroded base.  

It is more than evident that the effective governance provided by Siddaramaiah and his ministers has taken the wind out of the sails of the Opposition, which is floundering for the lack of a powerful strategy to put the ruling party on the mat. Political analysts feel that the BJP will have to reinvent its tactics if it has to find favour with citizens again and the way to reach their hearts is obviously not by targeting the five guarantee schemes, which have struck a powerful chord in every Kannadiga.