"Shocked by PM's remarks on Shakti scheme...": Karnataka Deputy CM Shivakumar

Bengaluru (Karnataka) [India], May 18 (ANI): Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister Shivakumar on Saturday said that he is "shocked" by the reported statement of Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the 'Shakthi scheme' and said that the PM lacks information on the Shakthi scheme.
"Shocking to hear PM discrediting the Karnataka government's Shakti scheme, without taking any cognisance of facts or ground reality. I am taking up on his statement point by point. Shakti scheme has benefitted lakhs of women already and continues to do so every day by catering to their travel needs, free of cost," Shivakumar posted on X.
Shivakumar dismissed PM's alleged remarks and claimed that no pollution and no loss to Metro service, in fact profit to Metro has surged by 30 per cent and stands at 130 crore currently.
"I hope PM is aware that metro service is there only in Bengaluru but our Shakti scheme benefits the entire Karnataka, so the question of loss or profit to Metro becomes meaningless here," he added.
He further said that the Karnataka government has already added more than 1,000 buses to the fleet across the state and more will be added in the coming times.
"Na Nayaki of Karnataka is very happy about our initiative and we shall continue to serve them with the best intention as we had promised in our 5 guarantees," he said.
PM Modi has reportedly spoken in an interview on bus and metro rail services and whether or not he made a specific reference to Karnataka is not known.
Notably, voting for 28 Lok Sabha seats in Karnataka was held in two phases. While 14 seats were polled on April 26, the remaining 14 voted on May 7. The counting of votes is scheduled for June 4.
In the 2019 elections, the BJP almost swept the state by winning 25 out of 28 seats. Congress and JD-S -- who were in coalition in the state government -- could only win one seat each. (ANI)