Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday said his party’s idea was that every government must work for the poor and weaker sections without looking at religion, caste or language, and asserted that the welfare schemes being rolled out in Karnataka would be replicated across the country.

"The five schemes in Karnataka are not merely schemes, but a model of governance. Governments should work for the poor and weaker sections and no one should be left behind, irrespective of their religion, caste, or language. Governments should take care of everyone. The work we have done in Karnataka is going to be implemented for our mothers and sisters across India,” he said, addressing a gathering in Mysore after rolling out the Gruha Lakshmi monthly payout scheme for women.

With a press of a button on a tablet, Rahul transferred Rs 2,000 to the bank accounts of 1.10 crore women, marking the implementation of the fourth of the five guarantees made before the May state polls.

The Wayanad Lok Sabha member went on to credit the women of Karnataka for helping the Congress come out with the five guarantees — Shakti Yojana, which provides free bus rides for women across the state; Gruha Jyothi, which offers 200 units of free electricity each month; Anna Bhagya, which gives 10kg of rice to the poor; Gruha Lakshmi, which offers a monthly aid of Rs 2,000 to each to women heads of family; and the Yuva Nidhi unemployment allowance of Rs 3,000 for graduates and Rs 1,500 for diploma holders for two years or until they find a job, whichever is earlier.

After winning the Assembly elections, the Congress government had decided to implement all the guarantees in its first cabinet meeting itself. While three schemes have already been implemented, Gruha Lakshmi was launched on Wednesday, just three days after the Congress government completed 100 days in office on August 27.

"These are not our schemes, but yours. I listened to you during the Bharat Jodo Yatra. These schemes were not created by the Congress think tank, but by the women of Karnataka. I thank you for showing us the path,” Rahul said, referring to how the ordeal narrated by hundreds of women during his Yatra gave rise to the idea to formulate these welfare programmes.

“During the 600km walk in Karnataka, I spoke to many of you who spoke about the uncontrolled price rise. Whether it is petrol, diesel or cooking gas, it is our mothers and sisters who bear the brunt,” he said.

“There is no place in the world where the government has earmarked so much money for a cash transfer scheme. This Rs 2,000 is not a small amount since it will be a safety net for women who could save a little or buy books for their children’s education. It’s eventually up to you to decide how to spend this,” Rahul said amid loud cheers.

He reminded the people of Karnataka how the BJP had made fun of the five guarantees and predicted that the Congress would go back on its promise. “If the Congress party promises something we will fulfil it,” Rahul assured the people.