Former Minister Rai Targets EC and Bihar Poll Practices While Downplaying Mangaluru Airport Clash

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Mangaluru : Former Minister Ramanath Rai addressed the media regarding the recent public display of strength by supporters of CM Siddaramaiah and DCM D.K. Shivakumar at the Mangaluru Airport. Rai downplayed the incident, stating that the minor disagreement was an “internal party matter” and therefore, he would not comment on the dynamics within the Congress party publicly. However, he quickly pivoted to attacking the opposition, specifically targeting the BJP’s rhetoric regarding welfare schemes and its alleged actions in other states.

Rai defended the Congress government’s ‘guarantee schemes’ in Karnataka, asserting that the party had clearly articulated these welfare programs in its election manifesto before implementation. He contrasted this with the opposition’s actions, specifically alleging that in Bihar, money was being distributed even before the elections, thereby questioning the BJP’s ethics when criticising the Congress’s guaranteed benefits. This comparison was intended to highlight the difference between official welfare programs announced in a manifesto and alleged pre-election cash distribution.

Furthermore, the veteran Congress leader raised serious allegations concerning the weakening of democratic institutions. He accused the ruling establishment of systematically diluting the power of the Election Commission (EC). Rai recalled that in the past, the EC was headed by the Chief Justice, implying a higher standard of impartiality and integrity. He then alleged that this arrangement was removed to “weaken the electoral system,” suggesting a deliberate attempt to compromise the independence of the commission.

Concluding his statement, Rai slammed the BJP for its historical stance on the Congress’s welfare initiatives. He reminded the media that when the Congress first introduced the ‘Anna Bhagya’ scheme—a pioneering food security program in the country—the BJP had consistently campaigned against it, branding it as a “freebie” that would turn people into “lazy individuals” (Somari). He then posed a sharp counter-question to the BJP, asking, “Now what are they doing?” The implication was that the BJP’s current actions were hypocritical, given their previous stringent criticism of welfare measures designed to benefit the poor.