After successfully selling ‘Five Guarantees’ in Karnataka, and Himachal Pradesh, Indian National Congress is trying to eye the elections in Maharashtra and Jharkhand, based on the same. However, recent strife between Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge and Karnataka’s Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar over the freebies has given BJP an advantage in the upcoming polls.
This row came after DK Shivakumar said that the Karnataka government would rethink the free bus travel for women’s ‘Shakti’ scheme, stating that many want to pay for their tickets. Reprimanding him, Kharge said, “Looking at your (Karnataka’s) five guarantees, I have announced five schemes in Maharashtra. But you have said that one guarantee will be dropped.”
Kharge also mentioned that he had asked Maharashtra State Congress to plan such guarantees based on the budget. He said, “They shouldn’t announce 5,6,10, or 20 guarantees. They should be announced based on budget. Otherwise, there’ll be bankruptcy. If there’s no money for roads, everyone will turn against you.”
There are different reactions within the party regarding guarantees. Kharge also mentions that the Opposition Leader in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, is specific that ‘guarantees’ ahead of the Maharashtra polls must be realistic. Senior Congress Law Maker RV Despande also argued in favor of reviewing these schemes stating that they were misused in some places.
Prime Minister Modi Hits On Congress’s Guarantees
Taking a jibe on Congress’s guarantees, on 1st November Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that Congress makes promises to people that they cannot deliver.
He tweeted, “The Congress Party is realizing 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!”
Regarding states like Himachal Pradesh, Karnataka, and Telangana, where Congress is in power, PM Modi said that their development path and financial health are worsening. He further said, “Their so-called guarantees remain unfulfilled, which is a serious betrayal of the people in these states. The poor, youth, farmers, and women suffer most from this, as they not only miss out on these promised benefits but also see existing programs weakened.”
Karnataka’s Weakened Financial Condition
Contradicting itself, the Karnataka government has given multiple statements regarding the state’s financial position. While Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar states, “Who says we are facing financial issues? Our financial strength is stronger than that of the country’s strength.” The same government had accused the central government of ignoring the state’s financial troubles.
Karnataka had sent a delegation requesting 5400 crore rupees during the pre-budget meeting from Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah had also claimed that despite his earnest efforts for all-party MPs to meet to talk about the state’s financial troubles, the budget had neglected it.
As per Siddaramaiah’s financial advisor Basavaraj Rayareddi, the five guarantee schemes by the Karnataka government tie up about Rs 60000 crores, which in return limits essential development work.
The effect can be directly seen in the state’s GDP which once was above the national average since 2019-20, is set to fall below in the year 2023-24. As per a report, Karnataka is projected to grow at 6.6 percent, while national GDP growth stands at 7.3 percent. It is also stated that the state’s fiscal deficit is rising, as it increased from 2.14 percent in 2022-23, to 2.67 percent in 2023-24, and will likely reach 2.95 in the upcoming financial year.
Can The Freebies Impact Maharashtra Polls?
Just before Rahul Gandhi’s Maharashtra visit, this particular freebie strife within the Indian National Congress can impact the poll results. Freebie promises might’ve worked in Karnataka, and Himachal Pradesh, but they weren’t enough in the recent Haryana state elections.
Apart from freebies, Maharashtra state itself has various issues that need to be addressed during the state assembly elections. Most importantly, the Maratha VS OBC reservation row where the standing of Maha Vikas Agadi of which Congress is a major part is unclear.
Here, Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde’ “Laadli Bahin Yojana” which provides 1500 rupees to women in the state also plays a significant role.
As seen in Karnataka, Congress’s promises in Maharashtra and Jharkhand might be reality-based, as it is a choice between freebies or essential developmental works.
