Karnataka MP Pratap Simha calls for statewide protest if free electricity promise not implemented from June

Reiterating the poll promises by the Congress, Simha told reporters in Mysuru, “Siddaramiah and DK Shivakumar when they made their poll promises did not highlight the terms and conditions to avail the benefits. They assured that a decision on these guarantees will be taken after the first cabinet meeting and that no one has to pay their electricity bills from June. However, they are now saying that these guarantees come with terms and conditions.”

He further stated that “If 200 units of electricity is free and the consumption exceeds by 10 units, the government should charge only for the extra 10 units. I will call for a statewide protest if at all the government does not give free electricity from June.”

The Congress government is facing criticism from the BJP over the delay in the formation of the cabinet. There are already reports of people refusing to pay electricity bills and women demanding free bus rides in some places, in light of the Congress’ poll guarantees.

BJP’s national IT cell convenor Amit Malviya, posting a video of Siddamiah talking about the poll guarantees at a public meeting, said, “ The Congress had given 5 Guarantees in Karnataka and promised blanket implementation, without any conditions. Here is Siddaramaiah waxing eloquent. People are now refusing to pay electricity bills, women are demanding free bus rides, the unemployed are seeking allowance. There is civil unrest kind of situation and could go completely out of hands. The Congress, without further delay, should deliver on its promises, to ensure there are no untoward incidents in the State.”