Bengaluru (Karnataka) [India]: Leader of Opposition in the Karnataka Legislative Council, Chalavadi Narayanaswamy, on Tuesday criticized the Congress party’s newly announced ‘Pyari Didi Yojana’ for the Delhi Assembly elections, labeling it a flawed replication of Karnataka’s Gruhalakshmi Scheme, which he described as a “failure.”
“Karnataka’s model is a failure. How will it be a role model for the country when they are not providing any money? Earlier, they promised Rs. 2,000 per month to women, but it has not been delivered. Now, they’ve introduced another guarantee, which is a complete failure. ASHA workers are protesting on the streets because their guarantees have not been fulfilled,” Narayanaswamy said while addressing reporters.
Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar had announced the Congress party’s first guarantee scheme, ‘Pyari Didi,’ on Monday. This scheme is a major promise for the upcoming Delhi Assembly elections, offering Rs. 2,500 per month for women if Congress comes to power in New Delhi.
Speaking at a press conference, Shivakumar said, “The ‘Pyari Didi Scheme’ is modeled after Karnataka’s Gruhalakshmi Scheme. The benefits will be similar, as we aim to empower women and bring socio-economic change to their lives.” He added that the Gruhalakshmi scheme has helped women in Karnataka save Rs. 4,000 to Rs. 5,000 monthly through various guarantee programs.
Narayanaswamy, however, dismissed these claims, citing unresolved issues and protests in Karnataka, including by ASHA workers, as evidence of the scheme’s shortcomings.
Delhi will go to polls on February 5 in a single phase, with votes to be counted on February 8. The nomination filing deadline is January 17, with scrutiny on January 18 and withdrawal of candidature by January 20.
In the 2020 assembly elections, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) secured a landslide victory, winning 62 out of 70 seats, while the BJP won eight.