Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday criticised the Congress after its chief Mallikarjun Kharge advised his party's state units to make 'fiscally doable' promises. Kharge urged for careful considerations and warned that an unplanned approach could lead to financial difficulties and negatively impact future generations.
"The Congress Party is realising the hard way that making unreal promises is easy but implementing them properly is tough or impossible. Campaign after campaign they promise things to the people, which they also know they will never be able to deliver. Now, they stand badly exposed in front of the people!" the Prime Minister said on X.
Deepening his attack, PM Modi said, "Check any state where the Congress has Governments today – Himachal Pradesh, Karnataka and Telangana- the developmental trajectory and fiscal health is turning from bad to worse. Their so-called Guarantees lie unfulfilled, which is a terrible deceit upon the people of these states. The victims of such politics are the poor, youngsters, farmers and women, who are not only denied the benefits of these promises but also see their existing schemes diluted."
"In Karnataka, Congress is busier in intra-party politics and loot instead of even bothering to deliver on development. Not only that, they are also going to rollback existing schemes. In Himachal Pradesh, salaries of Government workers is not paid on time. In Telangana, farmers are waiting for the waiver they promised. Previously, in Chhattisgarh and Rajasthan they promised certain allowances which were never implanted for five years. There are numerous such examples of how the Congress works," PM added.
The Prime Minister said that "the people of the country will have to be vigilant against the Congress sponsored culture of fake promises."
"We saw recently how the people of Haryana rejected their lies and preferred a Government that is stable, progress oriented and action driven. There is a growing realisation across India that a vote for Congress is a vote for non-governance, poor economics and unparalleled loot. The people of India want development and progress, not the same old," he added.
What Is Mallikarjun Kharge's advice to Congress' poll-going states
During the press conference, he underscored the importance of fiscal responsibility, stating that if the government fails to deliver on its commitments, it could result in a bad reputation and hardships for the community.
Kharge said," In Maharashtra I've said that they shouldn't announce 5, 6, 10 or 20 guarantees. They should announce guarantees based on budget. Otherwise, there'll be bankruptcy. If there's no money for roads, everyone will turn against you. If this government fails, the future generation will be left with nothing but a bad name. They'll have to live in exile for 10 years."
Kharge's statement came after the Congress government in Karntaka suggested that it could review the Shakti scheme which ensured free buss transport for women. However, on Thursday, Karntaka Transport Minister Ramalinga Reddy said that there will be no review or stoppage of the scheme.
Meanwhile on Thursday, the Congress President dismissed Prime Minister Modi's comments on 'One Nation, One Election,' saying that the initiative is impossible without consensus in Parliament. Speaking to reporters, Kharge said, "What PM Modi has said, he will not do it because when it comes to Parliament, he has to take everybody into confidence; then only this will happen. This is impossible; 'One Nation, One Election' is impossible."
Prime Minister Modi during the Rashtriya Ekta Diwas celebrations had stated that the BJP-led Central government was working towards achieving 'One Nation, One Election' and a Secular Civil Code. Addressing the National Unity Day parade in Gujarat's Kevadia, Prime Minister Modi said, "We are now working towards One Nation, One Election, which will strengthen India's democracy, give optimum outcomes from India's resources, and the country will gain new momentum in achieving the dream of a developed India."