CMs of Congress-ruled states counter BJP's charge on poll promises

Mumbai: Telangana chief minister Revanth Reddy on Saturday said that his government will carry out caste census in 2025. In a joint press conference he held along with Himachal Pradesh chief minister Sukhvinder Sukhu and Karnataka deputy chief minister D.K. Shivakumar, Mr. Reddy claimed that the Congress party had announced six guarantees in Telangana, which were fulfilled after forming the government. Mr. Sukhu and Mr Shivkumar also said that the Congress governments have implemented ‘guarantees’ in their states.

In order to counter Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s jhooth ki dukaan barb, the Congress had summoned the Telangana and Himachal Pradesh chief ministers and the Karnataka deputy chief minister.

Mr. Reddy stated that Congress leader Sonia Gandhi had promised an independent Telangana, and she fulfilled it. “During the Assembly elections, six guarantees were announced. After Congress came to power in Telangana, all farmers received a loan waiver of Rs 200,000, benefiting 22 lakh farmers. So far Rs 18 thousand crore has been disbursed. In ten months, 50,000 government jobs were given. Under the Mahalakshmi Scheme, free bus travel has been started, and Rs 3400 crore has been given to the Bus Corporation. 59 lakh families receive a gas cylinder for Rs 500. Under the Gruha Jyoti Scheme, five lakh families receive 200 units of free electricity. For the Mahalakshmi Scheme, a provision of Rs 20,000 crore has been made for five years. To fulfil Rahul Gandhi's promise, a caste census will start in Telangana in January 2025,” he said.

The Telangana CM further said that when the PM tweeted about no loan waiver in Telangana, he sent him a report after Mr. Modi deleted his tweet. Accusing the BJP of misleading people because they had nothing significant to say against Congress, Mr. Reddy said, “People of Maharashtra should not let BJP-led Mahayuti to mortgage Maharashtra — the land of great men like Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar, Balasaheb Thackeray and Sharad Pawar — to Gujarat.”

Accusing the PM and BJP leaders of indulging in falsehood, the Himachal Pradesh CM said, “Truth always triumphs. Like Maharashtra, Himachal Pradesh also faced “Operation Kamal”. But the people believed in Congress’s guarantees and governance. As soon as the Congress government was formed, the old pension scheme was implemented in the first cabinet meeting. Those who were receiving Rs 5,000 are now receiving Rs 50,000.”

Mr. Sukhu further said that his government has announced a support price of Rs 30 per kilogram for corn, Rs 40 per kilogram for wheat, Rs 45 per litre for cow milk, and Rs 55 per litre for buffalo milk. “Every person over the age of 58 receives Rs 1,500 per month. Girls over the age of 18 receive Rs 1,500. Financial aid is also provided for girls pursuing medical education and PhD studies. To fulfil these guarantees, revenue sources have been increased,” he said.

Karnataka DCM Shivakumar said that as soon as Congress came to power in his state, the implementation of the guarantees given by Rahul Gandhi began. “Under the Gruhalakshmi Scheme, 1.22 crore women receive Rs 2,000 per month. Under the Gruha Jyoti Scheme, 1.64 crore families get free electricity up to 200 units. Under the Annabhagya Scheme, 4.08 crore people receive 10 kg of free rice. So far, 3.20 crore women have availed free bus travel under the Shakti Scheme. Under the Yuva Nidhi Scheme, 500,000 students receive Rs 3,000 monthly. All these guarantees were implemented within 60 days of government formation, with a provision of Rs 52,000 crore. Karnataka's budget is Rs 3.65 lakh crore, and its economy is stronger than many BJP-ruled states,” he said.

Mr. Shivakumar also invited BJP leaders to travel through 33 districts in Karnataka to verify the implementation of these guarantees and offered arrangements for special flights and buses.

Mr Modi and other BJP leaders have accused the Congress of making hollow promises to people in states like Telangana, Karnataka and Himachal Pradesh. The BJP has also alleged that the economy of these states is on the verge of “shutting down” as the Congress does not have money to run the government (schemes) and pay salaries to their employees.

On Thursday, the Congress party lodged a complaint with the Election Commission, demanding action against the BJP for alleged propaganda against the Congress.