"Congress accepted they misled public, Mallikarjun Kharge and Rahul Gandhi should apologise": BJP

New Delhi [India], November 1 : Attacking the Congress party over the 'Shakti scheme', Bharatiya Janata Party leader Ravi Shankar Prasad on Friday demanded an apology from Congress National President Mallikarjun Kharge and Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi and said that for the first time, Congress has accepted that they have misled the public.
"The Congress National President Mallikarjun Kharge has accepted that we should make an announcement for only those items for which we have budgetary provisions and financial availability...Has the Congress National President Mallikarjun Kharge taught this lesson to Rahul Gandhi? Rahul Gandhi is an expert in making announcements, and he keeps doing it," Prasad said addressing a press conference in the national capital.
He further mentioned Himachal Pradesh and said that Chief Minister Sukhvinder Sukhu has asked state government employees not to take their salaries.
"What about there announcements and promises in Himachal Pradesh? However, the CM there has asked state government employees not to take their salaries. They were also planning to impose a tax on toilets as well but had to withdraw the decision following a row over it," he added.
The BJP leader further said that Congress just makes announcements and fool the public for the sake of votes.
"They just make announcements and fool the public for the sake of votes and then they don't implement their promises...In Karnataka, they (Congress) announced five guarantees. Today, they are talking about reviewing the free bus scheme (Shakti)...BJP always fulfils the promises that we make," he said.
He said that Congress has accepted today through its president that Congress has always talked about trying to deceive the public.
"For the first time, Congress has accepted that they have misled the public...Will Congress National President Mallikarjun Kharge apologise for what is happening in Karnataka, Himachal Pradesh?... The INDI alliance will do the same in Maharashtra and Jharkhand and mislead the public...Mallikarjun Kharge and Rahul Gandhi should apologise to the nation," the BJP leader said.
Earlier today, Congress National President Mallikarjun Kharge meted out advice to the Congress units headed for polls cautioning them to announce guarantees on the basis of their budget.
Kharge urged for careful consideration and warned that an unplanned approach could lead to financial difficulties and negatively impact future generations.
During the press conference, he underscored the importance of fiscal responsibility, stating that if the government fails to deliver on its commitments, it could result in a bad reputation and hardships for the community.
Kharge said," In Maharashtra, I've said that they shouldn't announce 5, 6,10 or 20 guarantees. They should announce guarantees based on budget. Otherwise, there'll be bankruptcy. If there's no money for roads, everyone will turn against you. If this government fails, the future generation will be left with nothing but a bad name. They'll have to live in exile for 10 years."
Kharge's statement came after the Congress government in Karnataka suggested that it could review the Shakti scheme which ensured free bus transport for women.
However, on Thursday, Karnataka Transport Minister Ramalinga Reddy said that there will be no review or stoppage of the scheme.
Earlier today, Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar reconsidered his statement and said, "Karnataka guarantee model is a model for the entire country. BJP and other parties are also adopting it and we are proud that we could implement that and we could deliver that. The people of Karnataka and the country are very happy with our model, " Shivakumar told reporters.
While speaking to the media reporters, DK Shivakumar said that his statement was twisted and whatever the elders say we have to follow that.
"Whatever our elders say we follow that. My statement was twisted. A few have suggested is what I have said. There is no question of closing the schemes. I had just said that we will discuss it. But the BJP just wants to do politics. They have nothing to do better," he said.