Copycat Trump? DK Shivakumar claims $5,000 promise follows Congress model

Karnataka Chief Minister DK Shivakumar has claimed that the Congress government's guarantee schemes in the state are being replicated not only by other Indian states but even by US President Donald Trump.

Shivakumar said Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Bihar had copied Karnataka's welfare schemes and claimed Trump's proposal to give Americans a $5,000 (Rs 4.79 lakh) dividend was also similar to the Congress government's guarantee model.

“They copied us in Maharashtra, they copied us in Madhya Pradesh, they copied us in Rajasthan, and they copied us in Bihar. Now Trump is copying us,” Shivakumar said.

His remarks came in reference to Trump's promise of a $5,000 dividend for every adult American if Republicans retain control of both the US House of Representatives and Senate in the November elections.

Trump announced the proposal at a Republican convention in Dallas, saying the dividend would reflect what he described as economic success under Republican leadership.

He also said the money would have to be spent within the United States. No further details about the proposal were provided at the time.

Referring to Trump's announcement, Shivakumar said, “Look at Trump. He is talking about $5,000, $50,000 or $5,000. Now, they are saying, ‘Vote for Trump and I will give you so many dollars.’”

Shivakumar said the comparison showed that ideas associated with the Congress government's welfare guarantees in Karnataka were gaining recognition beyond India.

“This means our ideas are becoming known not just across India, but across the world. This is the strength of the Congress party,” he said.

He further said the world was taking note of the Constitution and principles followed by the Congress party.

“The entire world is now taking note of our Constitution and the principles we are following,” Shivakumar said.

The Congress government in Karnataka introduced its flagship guarantee programmes after coming to power in 2023.

The schemes include free bus travel for women on state-run buses, monthly financial assistance for women heads of families, free electricity up to a specified limit for eligible households, food-grain support and financial assistance for unemployed graduates and diploma holders.

Shivakumar has repeatedly highlighted Karnataka's guarantee model as an example of the Congress's welfare-focused approach.- EndsPublished By: Ritaban MisraPublished On: Sep 14, 2026 15:00 IST