Two years after the Congress party assumed power in Telangana, Union Minister G. Kishan Reddy has voiced strong criticism regarding the unfulfilled promises made during the election campaign. In a letter addressed to Congress Parliamentary Party Chairperson Sonia Gandhi, Reddy questioned the status of the six guarantees that were central to the Congress manifesto. He inquired whether these promises, made to farmers, women, unemployed youth, students, Dalits, tribals, and backward classes, have been reviewed and what steps have been taken to ensure their fulfillment.
Reddy's criticism comes as the Congress government celebrates its second anniversary in power. He argued that instead of focusing on new visions and promises, the government should prioritize delivering on its existing commitments. He warned that failure to do so would transform the "Abhayahastam" (hand of assurance) into a "Bhasmasura Hasta" (hand of destruction), fueled by public anger, potentially leading to the government's downfall.
The BJP has been a vocal critic of the Congress government's performance in Telangana. The party released a "chargesheet" highlighting what it considers to be unfulfilled poll promises. BJP leaders have pointed out that, with the exception of free bus travel for women, many of the pre-election guarantees remain unimplemented. Concerns have been raised regarding key promises such as enhanced financial assistance to farmers, monthly stipends for the unemployed, distribution of scooters to girl students, and the release of a job calendar for youth. The BJP has also criticized the slow progress of the Indiramma housing scheme and the lack of clarity on issuing new ration cards.
Reddy has specifically challenged Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy to announce how many of the Congress 'guarantees' have been fulfilled during his two years in office. He stated that while the state government claims credit for fine rice supply to ration card holders, the central government bears a significant portion of the cost. Reddy also pointed out other unfulfilled promises, including financial assistance to tenant farmers, monthly financial assistance to women, gold for women's marriages, financial incentives to the unemployed, filling vacant posts, and cash assistance for Backward Classes welfare.
The Congress party's pattern of unfulfilled promises has been a recurring theme across different states, raising concerns about its credibility. In Telangana, the Yuva Vikasam guarantee, the Telangana International Schools promise, and the Cheyutha guarantee for senior citizen pensions have faced implementation challenges. The farm loan waiver, a major promise, has also not been fully delivered, leading to dissatisfaction among farmers.
Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy has defended his government's performance, stating that every promise made to the people is a sacred commitment. He highlighted achievements such as savings for women due to free bus travel, crop loan waivers, and subsidized LPG cylinders. However, opposition parties remain unconvinced, with BJP leaders alleging that Telangana is facing shadows of unkept promises. The BRS has also accused the Congress of failing to fulfill its promises, with former Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao vowing to "hit hard" at the government.
As the Congress government approaches the midpoint of its term, the pressure to deliver on its promises is mounting. The opposition is seizing on the issue of unfulfilled pledges to criticize the government's performance and question its credibility. The coming months will be crucial in determining whether the Congress can regain public trust and deliver on the promises that brought it to power in Telangana.
