Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent critique of Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge over the unfulfilled election promises in Karnataka has sparked an intensified war of words between the BJP and Congress, setting the stage for heightened political confrontation. The exchange began when Modi accused Congress of failing to keep its promises in Karnataka, claiming that the Congress-led state government’s lack of delivery is emblematic of the party’s broader approach. Modi argued that making lofty promises might help Congress win votes, but fulfilling them is a challenge that Congress continually fails to meet.
Kharge responded with a scathing critique, accusing the BJP of deliberately misleading the public and describing the NDA’s 100-day plan as a mere “publicity stunt.” He went on to characterize the central government led by the BJP as built on "lies, deceit, fakery, loot, and publicity," claiming these traits best describe the ruling government’s modus operandi. Kharge further challenged Modi's claims by alleging that the so-called public input gathered for the government's roadmap for 2047 was largely fabricated, with a recent RTI inquiry purportedly revealing a lack of transparency around the inputs that were supposedly gathered from millions of citizens.
Taking his criticism further, Kharge remarked on social media, "Your 100-day roadmap is just another spectacle with little substance behind it. On May 16, 2024, you claimed that over 20 lakh people contributed to your 2047 vision, but the RTI response from the PMO shows no real data to back this up, exposing the hollowness of your claims.” He then used this as an example to dub the BJP’s initials as representing “Betrayal” and “Jumla,” a popular term for "false promises" in Hindi.
Kharge also addressed several high-profile promises made by the BJP government since it came to power, including “Acche Din (good days ahead),” creating “two crore jobs per year,” and a "Viksit Bharat (developed India)," stating that the Modi government has fallen short on these benchmarks. He further accused the BJP of breaking public trust, adding, "Modi ki Guarantee is a cruel joke on 140 crore Indians!"
Prime Minister Modi, in his own sharp response, pointed out that Congress has been struggling to manage its pledges in states where it holds power, using Karnataka as an example of what he described as the party's inability to govern effectively. “The Congress Party is learning the hard way that making grand promises is simple, but delivering on them is challenging,” Modi posted, adding that Congress leaders are now “exposed in front of the people.”
The ongoing exchange also referenced recent statements by Karnataka's Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar, who had hinted that one of the state government’s five “guarantees” might be reassessed due to fiscal constraints. This admission prompted criticism from Kharge and provided Modi with ammunition, as he accused the Congress of not only making unrealistic pledges but also mismanaging state resources. Modi continued, “In Congress-ruled states like Himachal Pradesh, Karnataka, and Telangana, we see a continuous decline in both development and financial health.”
Kharge didn’t hold back, framing Modi’s remarks as an attempt to deflect from the BJP’s own shortcomings, and questioning the party’s commitment to the people’s welfare. In response, BJP leaders quickly rallied behind Modi’s comments, claiming that Congress’s record shows a pattern of broken promises, especially when faced with fiscal challenges.
This escalating exchange underscores the rivalry between the two major parties, with both Modi and Kharge using the Karnataka election promises as a focal point to underscore their broader messages for the nation. While Modi seeks to position the BJP as a party of accountability and achievement, Kharge and the Congress aim to highlight what they view as the Modi government’s failure to deliver on promises. With upcoming state and national elections, this exchange signals an intensifying political showdown, as each side looks to solidify its position and define the narrative moving forward.
