Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has accused the Election Commission of India (ECI) of bias after it sought details about fund disbursals under the state’s welfare schemes in constituencies preparing for by-elections on April 9. The ECI's inquiry, initiated in a letter from secretary Pawan Deewan, requested information on financial transfers and the officials responsible for authorizing these funds, citing concerns over potential violations of the Model Code of Conduct (MCC). Siddaramaiah defended the schemes, including Gruha Lakshmi and Yuva Nidhi, as ongoing commitments made during the 2023 assembly elections, asserting that they are not new announcements aimed at influencing voters. He criticized the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) for its inconsistent stance on welfare programs, claiming that while the BJP condemns such initiatives as 'freebies', they replicate similar schemes in states where they govern. The chief minister expressed concern over the ECI's selective scrutiny, pointing out that cash transfer schemes in states like Maharashtra and Bihar were allowed without similar oversight. He characterized the ECI's actions as politically motivated and detrimental to the welfare of the poor and women in Karnataka, reiterating his government’s commitment to continue delivering on its promises.