As the Maharashtra assembly elections approach, political parties are ramping up their campaigns with competing promises. The Congress-led Mahavikas Aghadi (MVA) has unveiled an ambitious manifesto, pledging initiatives like a ₹3,000 monthly allowance for women and farmer loan waivers. Highlighting similar programs in Congress-ruled states, the party seeks to build voter confidence. In contrast, the BJP, part of the Mahayuti alliance, has criticized these schemes, citing inefficiencies and failures in states like Karnataka and Telangana under Congress rule.Karnatakas experience: Welfare schemes under scrutinyIn Karnataka, Congress rolled out schemes like the Grihalakshmi Yojana, offering direct cash benefits to women, and the Griha Jyoti Yojana, promising 200 units of free electricity. However, BJP leaders allege these programs have faltered due to delays, technical glitches, and increased electricity rates.The Anna Bhagya Yojana, which aimed to distribute 10 kg of free rice to over a crore beneficiaries, has reportedly fallen short, with many receiving aid from central government programs instead. Similarly, the Shakti Yojana, offering free bus travel for women, has allegedly led to financial distress for the state transport corporation, resulting in reduced services and delayed salaries.Youth welfare schemes have also faced setbacks. Promised stipends for unemployed graduates and diploma holders remain unfulfilled, while delays in government recruitment have sparked discontent.Telangana faces similar challengesCongress-ruled Telangana mirrors Karnatakas issues. Welfare programs like the Mahalakshmi Yojana and Kalyan Lakshmi Yojana have encountered delays, with thousands of applications stuck in verification. Farmer aid schemes and promises like the ₹2 lakh loan waiver have only partially materialised.BJPs offensive in MaharashtraDrawing from these examples, Maharashtra BJP leaders have labelled Congress promises as unrealistic and accused the party of fiscal mismanagement. They argue that similar failures in governance could plague Maharashtra if these initiatives are implemented without proper financial planning.As voters prepare to decide, the focus remains on the credibility of each alliances promises and their ability to deliver.
