Bengaluru: The Congress government in Karnataka is open to amending or repealing any laws that have been introduced by the previous government if found to be regressive and an impediment to the social and economic growth of the state, said Minister Priyank Kharge.
The anti-cow slaughter act is found as detrimental to the state's development and a financial burden not only by the Congress government but also by the finance department of the BJP government itself.
The anti-cow slaughter act has been identified as detrimental to the state's development and a financial burden not only by the Congress government but also by the finance department of the BJP government itself, Kharge was quoted by NDTV.
Kharge made it clear that any rule implemented by the BJP government, be it related to cow slaughter and hijab or other aspects, would be re-evaluated if found to be regressive and conflicting with the economic and social growth of the state. Political considerations, he stressed, were secondary to the focus on promoting economic prosperity.
The controversial anti-cow slaughter bill, Kharge explained, appeared to have been drafted solely to appease the "bosses in Nagpur" – a reference to the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), an ideological parent organization of the BJP. However, this bill failed to bring satisfaction to farmers or the industry, further compounding its drawbacks.
Citing an example, Kharge mentioned the BJP's plan to provide fodder to livestock, which he deemed an economic liability. According to BJP calculations, this initiative would require an expenditure of ₹70 per animal per day, leading to a staggering sum of ₹5,240 crores to feed the state's 1.7 lakh livestock. Kharge questioned the basis of such calculations, casting doubt on their accuracy.
When questioned about potential political consequences, Kharge, who oversees rural development and Panchayati raj portfolios in the new Congress government led by Siddaramaiah, referred to the significant electoral mandate received by the party in the recent assembly election.
He emphasized that the priority of the government was the economic growth of Karnataka, focusing on the well-being of farmers, traders, and MSMEs. He further highlighted the responsibility of the government to ensure access to education for every child and expressed the willingness to review and repeal any policy that hinders progress and negatively impacts the state.
The Congress party, which secured 135 out of 244 seats in Karnataka, had pledged in its manifesto to take strong action against organizations promoting enmity and hatred among different communities, specifically mentioning the Bajrang Dal. Kharge reiterated the commitment to scrutinize and discard any regressive policies that impede Karnataka's economic growth and hinder its path towards progress.