Union Minister and senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader G Kishan Reddy has publicly challenged Congress leader Sonia Gandhi to provide clarity on her party's numerous unfulfilled promises made to the people of Telangana. In a strongly-worded letter, Reddy pointed out the stark gap between the Congress's pre-election assurances and its governance record over the last two years.
The Core of the Controversy: The "Abhayahastam" Manifesto
The controversy centres on the Congress party's poll manifesto for the 2023 Telangana Legislative Assembly elections, titled "Abhayahastam". Reddy's letter recalls that during the intense campaign, Sonia Gandhi herself unveiled this document and personally assured voters that every guarantee listed would be implemented without delay once the party assumed office.
The BJP leader emphasised that the Congress, riding on these promises, secured a victory in the polls. Two full years have now passed since the Congress government took charge in the state. Reddy's central query to the former Congress president is whether she has ever bothered to review or enquire about the status of the very assurances she, along with party leaders Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, championed before the electorate.
Direct Questions and Accusations of Neglect
In his communication, Reddy posed pointed questions to Sonia Gandhi. "During this period, have you ever reviewed or enquired about the status of the manifesto that you, along with Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi, and Congress, promised to people of Telangana?" he asked. He further questioned, "Did you even raise this issue when the Chief Minister met you recently?"
The Union Minister accused the state government of attempting to divert public attention. He alleged that under the guise of new development initiatives, the administration is trying to introduce a fresh narrative through a vision document, while the original guarantees remain largely unaddressed and forgotten.
A Party "Congratulating Itself" While Promises Languish
Reddy's critique extended to the Congress leadership's overall attitude. He suggested that the party's top brass seems more interested in self-congratulation than in holding its own state government accountable for delivering on core pledges made to farmers and other sections of society.
This political confrontation highlights the ongoing tension between the BJP and the Congress in Telangana, with the national BJP seeking to keep the spotlight on what it calls the ruling party's "failure to implement" its flagship pre-poll commitments. The letter serves as a direct attempt to put the Congress leadership, particularly the Gandhi family, on the defensive regarding governance and promise-keeping in one of the few states where the party holds power.
The development sets the stage for a renewed political battle in Telangana, with the BJP aiming to capitalise on potential public discontent over unmet expectations as the state government reaches the mid-point of its term.
