'Deleted to avoid distraction': Karnataka minister on Siddaramaiah's 'world record' post

Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah

Karnataka transport minister Ramalinga Reddy on Friday responded to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah's ‘world record’ post being deleted after it faced online scrutiny.

Reddy clarified that the post, which celebrated two “world records” for Karnataka's Shakti scheme, had been removed to “avoid distraction”, India Today reported.

Siddaramaiah's post had highlighted two recognitions presented to the Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) by the London Book of World Records - later fact-checked as unauthentic.

The cited awards included the KSRTC having received 464 national and international honours since 1997, and the state facilitating the highest number of free bus journeys for women under the Shakti scheme.

However, Community Notes- a fact-checking feature on X-flagged the post, stating: “London Book of World Records (LBWR) is a private limited company in the UK. The company was dissolved as of 15 July 2025 according to UK Companies House. This does not appear authentic.”

Following this, the post was deleted. Addressing the controversy, Minister Reddy said the post was removed “to avoid unnecessary distraction," but maintained that the achievements highlighted were “factual and verifiable" regardless of third-party recognition.

He described the London Book of World Records as a private record-keeping firm that had previously acknowledged several Indian public figures and government bodies, including former Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and the Puducherry administration.

Reddy also pointed out that UN General Assembly President Philemon Yang had recently praised Karnataka’s guarantee schemes, including Shakti, for promoting gender equality and inclusive public services.

Reddy reiterated that KSRTC’s performance is “a matter of public pride." The minister said the Shakti scheme — which offers free bus travel to women across the state — has enabled over 100 crore free rides in just over a year.

Meanwhile, the Janata Dal (Secular) mocked the state government over the controversy, claiming that the UK-based firm “literally sells Gold, Silver, and Platinum record packages."

In a sarcastic post on X, the party wrote, “We thought only their surname was borrowed — now even their certificates are bought."