Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Wednesday accused the Election Commission of India (ECI) of acting biased after it sought details about disbursement of funds under state safeguard schemes in election-related constituencies.
The Chief Minister’s remarks came after the EC wrote to the state government regarding the release of funds in Davanagere South and Bagalkot constituencies, where by-elections are scheduled to be held on April 9.
In a letter dated April 2, EC Secretary Pawan Dewan asked Chief Secretary Shalini Rajneesh to provide details of the money transfers and identify the officials who authorized them. The Commission said it had received inputs on “new sanctions for financial benefits” under schemes such as Gruha Lakshmi, Yuva Nidhi, Shakti, Gruha Jyothi and Anna Bhagya.
The European Commission noted that the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) is in force in these circles and said that no new funds should be released without prior approval.
Dismissing these concerns, Siddaramaiah said the schemes were not election-time advertisements but ongoing welfare programmes.
“These are part of the commitments made during the 2023 General Assembly elections,” he said, adding that the funds are being transferred “regularly, in a transparent and orderly manner” in accordance with the guidelines. “This is governance – direct investment in human dignity, family stability, and economic participation – not inducement.”
He also criticized the BJP, accusing it of being inconsistent in its stance on social welfare programmes. “The double standards followed by the BJP regarding guarantee schemes are well known,” he said.
“On the one hand, they are criticizing the Karnataka safeguards as ‘free’. On the other hand, they are copying the same schemes and implementing them in states where they are in power. The Karnataka model has clearly set a benchmark for the country,” the Prime Minister added.
He went on to question the approach taken by the Committee in similar cases elsewhere.
“But what is deeply worrying is the selective approach taken by the Election Commission of India,” he said. “In states like Maharashtra and Bihar, cash transfer schemes have been announced or accelerated just before elections, with direct financial benefits to voters. These are well-documented patterns. However, the Election Commission of India has remained silent and allowed them to proceed without scrutiny.”
Stepping up his criticism, Siddaramaiah said: “This is not neutrality – this is collusion. When BJP or NDA governments act, the ECI looks the other way. But when Karnataka delivers on its promises, ECI itself becomes hyperactive. This double standard reveals clear bias.”
Describing the audit as politically motivated, he added, “Targeting Karnataka’s guarantee schemes is not just political – it is anti-poor, anti-women and anti-Karnataka.”
Siddaramaiah said that the government will continue its programs without interruption. “Our government will remain committed to its promises and will continue to fulfill every Kannadiga,” he said.
