The Union finance minister, Nirmala Sitharaman, has said that the Indian state of Karnataka is on a "good trajectory" of growth and requires "stability and continuity of policies" to ensure this continues. Karnataka is due to hold elections for its 224-member legislative assembly on 10 May, with results announced on 13 May. Sitharaman praised the development work of the Bharatiya Janata Party, which is seeking re-election, and criticised opposition parties for making costly poll promises.

Bengaluru: Underlining the development in various sectors during the Bharatiya Janata Party’s rule in Karnataka, Union finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Sunday said the poll-bound state is on a “good trajectory” of growth and needs “stability and continuity of policies” to ensure that the developmental agenda does not derail.

Polling for the 224-member Karnataka legislative assembly will be held on May 10. The counting of votes will be held on May 13.

“Karnataka is going on a good trajectory of growth. It is definitely matching up with global standards on many of the infrastructure works… it is taking its leap forward. I honestly think that the state needs stability, continuity of policies and also, making sure that people who have failed the state repeatedly for whatever temptation should not be given an opportunity to lose this momentum,” Sitharaman said while speaking at the Thinkers Forum, an independent platform for intellectual activities, in Bengaluru.

The finance minister, who is also a Rajya Sabha member from Karnataka, said the Union government has prioritised development in the state, referring to the financial help from the Centre. She added that it must be ensured that Karnataka is moving forwards and does not lose steam.