As elections nears in Haryana, the political trend is heating up. The Congress party is making headlines with seven new promises, while the BJP has released a comprehensive 20-point manifesto. Both parties are vying for attention, and it's crucial to evaluate their proposals, as the decisions made now will impact Haryana's future for the next five years.
In an election setting, it's common for parties to make "freebie" promises. The real question is: which of these commitments are financially viable, and which are just ploys to secure votes?
BJP's Promises
The BJP's manifesto includes a commitment to provide ₹2,100 per month to women through the Lado Lakshmi Yojana. Additionally, under the Grihini Yojana, they plan to offer LPG cylinders at Rs 500 each. The Awwal Balika Yojana aims to give scooters to female college students in rural areas. Although these promises may put financial strain on the state, the BJP has successfully implemented similar initiatives in other states without triggering a financial crisis, giving them an advantage.
Congress's Strategy
The Congress party, having started its "freebie" approach in Karnataka with five guarantees, believes that expanding this strategy to seven promises in Haryana could help them recover from a decade of political struggle. Their pledges include ₹2,000 monthly for women aged 18 to 60, 300 units of free electricity, and free medical treatment up to ₹25 lakh. They also promise LPG cylinders at Rs.500. However, critics argue that these promises may not be trustworthy, pointing to the party's declining popularity in states like Himachal Pradesh, Karnataka, and Telangana.
Himachal's Financial Struggles
In Himachal Pradesh, where Congress made similar freebie promises, the state is now grappling with severe financial difficulties. Employees promised the Old Pension Scheme (OPS) are facing delays in their salaries and pensions. Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu has announced that ministers will forgo their salaries for two months due to an empty treasury. He also acknowledged that the state’s financial health is critical, with a debt nearing ₹90,000 crore.
Karnataka's Alarm Bells
In Karnataka, just 18 months into Congress's rule, there are already signs of trouble. Ministers are urging leadership to reconsider their five guarantees due to stalled development projects. The free bus travel for women has caused significant operational losses for the Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation, leading to potential fare increases.
Congress has attempted to mislead farmers, failing to address the Minimum Support Price (MSP) issue during their decade in power. Now, they are promising legal guarantees on MSP while the BJP has already included 24 crops under this price assurance.
Congress's claim of creating 200,000 permanent jobs is met with skepticism, particularly due to past corruption under the Hooda government. They have also promised to make Haryana drug-free, a commitment that has failed in Punjab despite similar pledges during their tenure.
Trust in BJP's Leadership
The BJP has been proactive, offering stipends to farmers since 2019, which is a testament to their governance rather than an election promise. Their welfare schemes, like the Ladli Behna scheme in Madhya Pradesh, have earned public support. The BJP's proposals come with detailed plans on funding and implementation, bolstered by the trust in Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership.
As Haryana heads towards elections, voters face a crucial choice between the promises of Congress and the established track record of the BJP.
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