Bengaluru, September 2026 : Former Karnataka Chief Minister and Congress Working Committee member Siddaramaiah on Thursday said the state government led by Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar was moving in the right direction as he congratulated the Chief Minister and his Cabinet on completing 100 days in office.

Speaking after inaugurating the ‘Drudha Karnataka Sankalpa – 100 Days of Successful Completion’ programme at the Vidhana Soudha Banquet Hall, Siddaramaiah said the milestone should not merely be an occasion for celebration but an opportunity for the government to present its achievements before the people.

“I feel that the government led by D.K. Shivakumar is moving in the right direction,” Siddaramaiah said, congratulating Shivakumar and the members of his Cabinet.

He stressed that governments in a democracy are accountable to the people and must regularly assess whether their electoral promises are being implemented. Eliminating social inequality, poverty and unemployment, while improving agricultural production, should remain key priorities, he said.

Defends Five Guarantee Schemes

Siddaramaiah recalled that Congress had promised five guarantee schemes before coming to power on May 20, 2023. At the time, the Opposition had claimed that implementing the guarantees would bankrupt the state.

However, the Congress government implemented all five schemes within its first year in office and is now spending around ₹52,000 crore annually on them, he said.

Siddaramaiah maintained that the guarantees were intended to reduce inequality and provide support to economically weaker sections across communities. He urged the government to continue the schemes despite criticism.

Referring to the Congress manifesto, he claimed that the party had fulfilled most of the 165 promises made in its 2013 manifesto and said Congress was the only party that prepared its budget around its manifesto commitments.

With more than one-and-a-half years remaining in the current term, Siddaramaiah expressed confidence that the government would fulfil its remaining promises, with social justice, equal opportunities and the empowerment of poor people, Dalits, Backward Classes, minorities, women and workers continuing to be priorities.

Attacks BJP Over Corruption, Ballari Chalo

Siddaramaiah also advised Chief Minister Shivakumar not to be concerned about criticism from the Opposition.

Taking a swipe at BJP state president and MLA B.Y. Vijayendra, he questioned the BJP's credibility in raising corruption allegations and claimed that corruption had prevailed during the previous BJP government headed by B.S. Yediyurappa.

On the BJP's ongoing Ballari Chalo padyatra, Siddaramaiah said the recent 10-day Assembly session should have been used to extensively discuss Karnataka's drought situation. Instead, he alleged, the Opposition focused primarily on demanding the resignation of former minister Nagendra.

He termed the BJP's padyatra a “political gimmick” aimed at returning to power and said the government had no reason to be concerned about it.

Siddaramaiah recalled that he and Deputy Chief Minister G. Parameshwara had undertaken padyatras in the past on issues concerning public welfare, including a march to Kudalasangama. He alleged that the BJP's current campaign lacked a genuine public cause.

Focus on Drought Relief

On drought relief, Siddaramaiah said Karnataka had already declared 101 taluks drought-affected and would submit a fresh memorandum to the Centre seeking assistance.

He expressed doubts over whether the state would receive adequate central assistance, citing what he described as outdated norms for drought relief.

He urged the Shivakumar government not to depend entirely on central assistance and instead take proactive measures, including declaring additional taluks drought-affected wherever necessary and effectively implementing both existing and new relief programmes.

Siddaramaiah also praised the government's ‘Praja Seva’ initiative and urged ministers to regularly interact with people in their respective districts, hear their grievances and ensure that their problems are resolved.

He expressed confidence that the Shivakumar government would continue working for the poor, Dalits, Backward Classes, minorities, women and workers and remain committed to building a stronger Karnataka.