'We prioritize development, not votes': Congress CMs hit back at BJP's poll promise allegations

NEW DELHI: The chief ministers of Congress-ruled Telangana and Himachal Pradesh, along with Karnataka's deputy CM, countered BJP’s claims that Congress was failing to deliver on its election promises.

Ahead of Maharashtra assembly elections, Telangana CM A Revanth Reddy, Himachal Pradesh CM Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu , and Karnataka deputy CM DK Shivakumar joined forces to defend their states’ track records, pointing out that Congress-led policies have positively impacted their regions.

Shivakumar on Karnataka's five guarantees
Karnataka deputy CM invited leaders from the BJP-led "Mahayuti" alliance—comprising the BJP, NCP, and Shiv Sena—to witness Congress’s welfare initiatives in Karnataka firsthand. “The three of us are here to show what we promised, what we delivered. I was surprised to see false advertisements from BJP allies yesterday,” Shivakumar said.

“We prioritize the development of the people, not votes. The BJP has now started copying our guarantees because they recognize their effectiveness,” he added, accusing the BJP of appropriating Congress’s schemes.

Reddy responds to allegations on economic and agricultural policies
Telangana CM Revanth Reddy highlighted the state’s job creation efforts, saying that 50,000 jobs had been provided to youth within ten months. He criticised the BJP for failing to boost Maharashtra’s economy, asserting that significant investments were being diverted to Gujarat.

Reddy also voiced strong opinions on agricultural policies, alleging that “black laws” pushed by the BJP-led central government would place farmers at the mercy of large corporations.

“In India, Maharashtra has the highest number of farmer suicide. PM Modi aimed to hand over farmers to Adani and Ambani through these laws,” Reddy said, condemning recent remarks from BJP leaders about Telangana’s governance.

Sukhu slams ‘operation lotus’
Amidst the growing banter between BJP and Congress over Himachal Pradesh CM Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu’s Samosa row, he said, “Pawan Khera offered me a samosa, and I asked if the politics here centers on snacks or genuine development.”

Sukhu criticised “Operation Lotus”—a term Congress uses to describe alleged BJP attempts to destabilize rival governments through monetary influence—and warned Maharashtra voters of the potential dangers of such tactics. He defended his administration’s move to reinstate the old pension scheme, highlighting it as a step that has “benefited people immensely.”