Is Congress Aiming for a Himachal-Style Scenario in Haryana? Rising Guarantees Spark Worry

The election battle in Haryana is heating up. On one side, the Congress is offering seven guarantees, while on the other, the BJP is presenting a comprehensive 20-point manifesto.

With both parties vying for dominance, their promises are now central to discussions, as the future of Haryana’s residents and their next five years will be shaped by these commitments.

Election season always brings a slew of “freebie” promises from competing parties. The real question, however, is which of these pledges are realistic and fiscally sustainable, and which are simply electoral bait to secure votes?

Delving into the BJP’s manifesto reveals several noteworthy promises.

In Haryana, the BJP has promised ₹2,100 per month to women under the Lado Lakshmi Yojana and affordable LPG cylinders under the Grihini Yojana, priced at ₹500. Rural female students will also benefit from scooters under the Awwal Balika Yojana. While these measures might strain the state’s finances, BJP’s track record in implementing similar promises elsewhere without triggering financial crises boosts its credibility.

Congress has upped the ante in Haryana by introducing more guarantees.

Starting with five guarantees in Karnataka, Congress managed to return to power. Then, in Telangana, the party expanded its promises to six guarantees, successfully dislodging the decade-old BRS government. Now, the party hopes that seven guarantees in Haryana will reverse its decade-long political drought in the state.

Among Congress’ promises are ₹2,000 monthly for women aged 18-60, 300 units of free electricity, and free medical treatment worth up to ₹25 lakh, alongside LPG cylinders priced at ₹500. However, Congress’ history with such promises has been questioned, with many accusing the party of misleading voters through unsustainable pledges that risk causing long-term harm, as seen in other states.

Himachal is currently grappling with a financial crisis following Congress’ promises.

After Congress introduced a series of freebies in Himachal Pradesh, the state’s finances have taken a nosedive. Government employees are struggling to receive their pensions and salaries, despite the Old Pension Scheme (OPS) being a key promise. Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu admitted that the state treasury is empty, forcing ministers to forgo salaries for two months. This crisis is a stark reminder of the dangers posed by such electoral promises.

Warnings are also emerging from Karnataka.

Barely 18 months into Congress’ rule in Karnataka, alarm bells are already ringing. The state is struggling to manage its commitments, with ministers urging the leadership to reassess the viability of the five guarantees for the full five-year term. The free bus travel for women, a popular election promise, has led to massive operational losses for KSRTC, totaling ₹295 crore in just three months. The state may now be forced to increase bus fares by 20%.

Congress’ promises to farmers are also under scrutiny.

Since losing power at the Center, Congress has been relentless in trying to sway farmers with promises. However, during its decade-long rule, it failed to seriously address the Minimum Support Price (MSP) issue. Now, the party is promising legal guarantees for MSP, even though the BJP government in Haryana has already extended MSP to 24 crops.

The youth are also skeptical of Congress’ job promises.

Congress has pledged 200,000 permanent jobs for Haryana’s youth, but its past governance under Bhupinder Singh Hooda was marred by corruption scandals, making such promises hard to believe.

Can Congress keep deceiving voters with unfulfilled promises?

The party’s pledge to make Haryana a drug-free state echoes its earlier promise in Punjab in 2017. Despite using the film Udta Punjab to highlight the issue, neither Congress nor the current AAP government in Punjab has made significant progress on this front, casting doubt on their ability to deliver in Haryana.

Faith in Congress’ commitments is dwindling.

Another key promise from Congress in Haryana is the implementation of the Old Pension Scheme (OPS). However, those looking at the plight of pensioners in Himachal Pradesh may question the feasibility of this promise. Congress’ track record in recent assembly elections in Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, and Rajasthan, as well as its poor performance in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, suggests that voters are losing trust in its promises.

Why does the BJP’s word carry more weight?

The BJP’s credibility stems from the fact that it has already implemented several schemes during its tenure, rather than just making election promises. For example, stipends to farmers began in 2019 and continue to this day, demonstrating a level of commitment beyond electoral cycles.

Similarly, BJP’s Ladli Behna scheme in Madhya Pradesh has resonated with the public, and its newly launched Subhadra scheme in Odisha is gaining traction. What sets BJP’s promises apart is that they come with detailed plans on funding and implementation, and are backed by the trust that comes with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership. Time and again, Modi’s leadership has earned the trust of voters, not just in Haryana but across India.

Source: https://www.oneindia.com/india/congress-trying-to-create-himachal-like-situation-in-haryana-guarantees-raise-concerns-3940699.html