Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin's landmark scheme of providing free travel for women in public buses is getting fostered beyond the state as the scheme was one of the major promises that Congress leader Rahul Gandhi pledged to the voters in Karnataka. As the scheme is gaining traction, the Congress leader vowed that it will be implemented as soon as the party comes to power in Karnataka.

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has on Thursday- April 27 joined the scorching campaigns in poll-bound Karnataka to seek votes for his party. Addressing a gathering, Rahul Gandhi announced a pack of promises to the voters that the party would deliver if it comes to power. Of these promises, the free travel for women in public buses is the fifth one. He said, "This is the fifth guarantee scheme announced by the Congress, and they all will be fulfilled in the first Cabinet meeting after the party comes to power." 

He further said, "Prime Minister Narendra Modi had said that our guarantee schemes will not be implemented. Let me make it clear, Congress will return to power in Karnataka with full majority. We will implement all the five schemes. Are you (Modi) ready to implement them in the country once they are in place here." "Though the BJP is in power in Karnataka, its government was not formed with the people's choice. The BJP damaged democracy by purchasing legislators to come to power", he added.

Rahul Gandhi said, "The saffron leaders claim that the elections are all about handing over Karnataka to the BJP. They are asking the voters to hand over the future of the state to PM Modi. Do you want a corrupt government again? They take 40% commission for everything." By asserting that the Congress will win 150 seats in this election, Rahul Gandhi stated, "No one can stop us. The BJP is a 40% party and it should win only 40 seats. Don't forget that the BJP has stolen your hard-earned money." 

It must be noted that earlier Congress party had announced a monthly cash assistance of Rs 2,000 under the Gruha Lakshmi scheme to every woman head of household in the state, 200 units of free electricity under the Gruha Jyothi Scheme, 10 kg rice free of cost to every Below Poverty Line (BPL) family, and Rs 3,000 to unemployed graduates and Rs 1,500 to unemployed diploma holders every month for two years under the Yuva Nidhi scheme. Karnataka is heading for a single-phase poll on May 10 and the results will be declared on May 13.