Minister for Rural Development and Panchayat Raj and Kalaburagi district in-charge Priyank Kharge on Sunday criticised the Union government for increasing the price of cooking gas on International Women’s Day, calling it a reflection of the Achhe Din promised by the Centre.

Speaking at a programme in Chittapur town to inaugurate completed development projects and lay foundation stone for new ones, together worth ₹1,069 crore, Mr. Kharge said that the decision to raise LPG prices on a day meant to celebrate women exposed the priorities of the government at the Centre.

Referring to the State government’s five guarantee schemes, the Minister said that they have enabled people to lead lives of dignity and security.

“When the government returns people’s money to them through these guarantee schemes, BJP leaders criticise it. They do not want public money to be used for the benefit of the people,” he said.

Mr. Kharge said that he is working as a “son of the soil of Chittapur and Kalaburagi district” in keeping with the promise he made to voters during the elections.

Referring to the projects launched at the event, he said that development works worth ₹1,069 crore are being implemented in the constituency, which will translate into about ₹1 crore for each village and even up to ₹3 crore for larger villages.

Responding to political criticism, Mr. Kharge said that some people claim that he has become the next political target after the Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar. “As long as I have the blessings of the people of Chittapur and Kalaburagi, nothing will happen to me,” he said amid applause from the gathering.

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar, among others, were present.