New Delhi: As Haryana prepares for elections, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Congress are engaged in a fierce battle of promises. The BJP has unveiled a 20-point manifesto, while Congress is promising seven guarantees. But which partys commitments are financially feasible and which are mere electoral gimmicks aimed at winning votesBJPs promises: Empowering women and farmersThe BJPs manifesto promises to provide ₹2,100 monthly to women under the Lado Lakshmi Yojana. Additionally, under the Grihini Yojana, it has pledged to offer LPG cylinders for ₹500. Furthermore, the Awwal Balika Yojana promises to provide scooters to female students in rural areas studying in colleges. While these promises could increase financial pressure, the fact remains that the party has successfully implemented similar pledges in states where it has won elections, and no financial crises have occurred.Evaluating Congress track recordCongress has promised ₹2,000 per month for women aged 18-60, 300 units of free electricity, and free medical treatment worth up to ₹25 lakh. They have also pledged to provide LPG cylinders for ₹500. However, Congress track record shows that these promises appear to be nothing more than smoke and mirrors. Congress is well aware that it is misleading voters with these freebie promises.History of broken promisesIn states like Himachal Pradesh, Karnataka and Telangana, the partys popularity has waned due to its populist stunts. In Himachal Pradesh, after Congress freebie announcements, the state is facing a severe financial crisis. Public employees, who were promised the Old Pension Scheme (OPS), are now struggling to receive their salaries and pensions on time.Warning signs in Karnatakas governanceIn Karnataka, barely 18 months into Congress governance, warning signs are already evident. According to The Hindu, several ministers in Siddaramaiahs government are pressuring the leadership to reconsider implementing the five guarantees for the entire five-year term due to the stalling of developmental projects. The states free bus travel for women has caused operational losses of ₹295 crore in just three months.Congress track record in Himachal Pradesh under scrutinyCongress has also promised 200,000 permanent jobs for youth and a drug-free Haryana. However, given the previous Hooda governments notorious reputation for corruption, its hard to trust the partys promises. Congress has also pledged to implement the Old Pension Scheme (OPS), but its track record in Himachal Pradesh raises concerns.Voters losing faithPeople have started to lose faith in Congress promises, evident in the recent assembly elections in Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, and Rajasthan, and more recently, in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, where Rahul Gandhis promise to transfer ₹8,000 monthly to womens accounts was soundly rejected by voters.BJPs credibilityThe BJP government on the other hand, began giving stipends to farmers as early as 2019, which was not an election promise but something implemented while in power, and it continues to this day. Similarly, the Ladli Behna scheme in Madhya Pradesh, launched by the BJP while in power, has won the hearts of the people. In Chhattisgarh, there is trust in the Mahatari Bandhan scheme, and in Odisha, the Subhadra scheme has just been launched.PM Modis guaranteeThe biggest reason why BJPs promises are trusted is because of the guarantee that comes with Prime Minister Narendra Modis leadership. Where theres Modis guarantee, not just Haryana but the entire nation puts its faith, as has been proven election after election.
