Deshpande Clarifies Stance on Guarantee Schemes, Blames Misinterpretation
The senior Congress leader says he was praising the government's welfare programs, not criticizing them, after reports suggested he had raised concerns about their financial impact.
Bengaluru: Senior Congress MLA R.V. Deshpande issued a clarification on Tuesday, stating that his recent comments about the Karnataka government’s five guarantee schemes were misunderstood and taken out of context.
In a press release, Deshpande addressed a newspaper report about a speech he gave in Dandeli. He insisted that his words were intended to praise the welfare initiatives, not to criticize them.
“I did not speak against the five guarantee schemes. On the contrary, I appreciated them,” Deshpande stated. “Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has introduced several schemes for the poor, and I acknowledged his efforts.”
He added that he only highlighted the schemes as a reflection of the Chief Minister’s experience and concern for the public. “It is unfortunate that my words have been misinterpreted,” he said.
This clarification comes after earlier reports quoted Deshpande as saying the schemes had placed a significant financial burden on the state and made governance difficult. He was also reported to have expressed concern that the focus on implementing these guarantees had slowed down other development projects.
The initial remarks drew a sharp response from within his own party. Home Minister Dr. G. Parameshwara questioned the comment, saying, “If he becomes the chief minister, he can stop the guarantee schemes if he wants. Where has development stopped? The chief minister is laying foundation stones for new projects. Isn’t that development?”
Meanwhile, the BJP used the opportunity to support Deshpande’s reported original statement. “Deshpande has spoken the truth,” said BJP MLC Chalavadi Narayanaswamy. He claimed that the Congress government was heading towards “bankruptcy in the name of guarantees” and that even Congress leaders were internally opposing the schemes.
