Karnataka is witnessing a fierce political verbal duel over Congress’s Gruha Lakshmi scheme, with the opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) launching a scathing attack for withholding of payments. Leader
of the Opposition R Ashoka spearheaded the charge, seeking disciplinary action against Women and Child Development Minister Laxmi Hebbalkar for allegedly “lying” to the House regarding the disbursement of the monthly Rs 2,000 allowance. The controversy erupted after the Minister informed the Assembly on December 9 that all payments up to August had been cleared. However, BJP MLA Mahesh Tenginkai presented official documents from district-level officials in Dharwad, Gadag, and Haveri, which stated that installments for February and March remained unpaid. Ashoka accused the Minister of providing fraudulent data, suggesting that the funds intended for Karnataka’s women might have been diverted to cover expenses for the Congress party’s election efforts in Bihar. Adding fuel to the fire, the BJP launched a digital campaign on X (formerly Twitter), releasing “missing” posters of Minister Laxmi Hebbalkar following her absence from Friday’s session. The opposition slammed the government for “vanishing” when asked for accountability, claiming that the administration has systematically defrauded the women of the state by failing to provide the promised financial security. Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar issued a vigorous defence, asserting that the Gruha Lakshmi paymentsare being processed and that any temporary delays are the result of the Union government’s failure to release the state’s rightful GST share. Shivakumar claimed that Karnataka is facing a shortfall of Rs 15,000 crore due to the Centre’s withholding of funds, which has placed an undue strain on the state’s treasury. He also questioned the lapses in implementation of promises given by BJP in several states ruled by them. Hitting back at the BJP, Shivakumar questioned their silence on critical North Karnataka issues such as the Upper Krishna and Upper Bhadra projects. He pointed out that the Centre has yet to release the promised Rs 5,300 crore for Upper Bhadra or issue the necessary notifications for the Mahadayi and Upper Krishna projects. Shivakumar challenged the BJP to explain the status of promises in BJP-ruled states and at the federal level rather than disrupting a session meant to address the developmental needs of the region.
