Ahead of the Telangana assembly elections, Congress leader Sonia Gandhi on Sunday announced 'six guarantees' to the people of the state ranging from monthly allowance to women to affordable cooking gas cylinders.
Telangana is among the five states scheduled to have assembly elections this year. Along with electorally-significant states of Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, and Chhattisgarh, the Telangana assembly elections is expected to set the tone for the 2024 general elections.
Speaking at a rally in Tukkuguda near Hyderabad, former Congress chief Sonia also said that it is "our duty to elevate the state to new heights".
"Rs 2,500 per month financial assistance will be given to women in Telangana under the Mahalakshmi scheme, gas cylinders at Rs 500, and free travel for women in TSRC buses across the state, to fulfill the aspirations of the people of Telangana we are announcing 6 guarantees and we are committed to fulfill each one of them," said Sonia, as per ANI.
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In the run-up to the elections, the Congress party had similarly pledged electoral guarantees to the people of Karnataka. After forming the government, however, the Congress government said that there was no money left for development as all the money went into the guarantees. The Congress government in Himachal Pradesh also made promises and is dealing with poor fiscal situation.
Lately, such populist doles have been criticised by Prime Minister Narendra Modi as "revadis", a term used to mock these measures as freebies. Along with the Congress, he has also slammed Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) for such populist measures, which has also implemented free water and electricity schemes in Delhi and Punjab.
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At the rally in Telangana, Sonia further said that it was her dream to see Congress government in the state.
"I along with my colleagues had the opportunity to be a part of the birth of this great state, Telangana. Now, it is our duty to elevate the state to new heights...It is my dream to see a Congress government in Telangana that will work for all sections of the society. Are you going to support us," said Sonia, as per PTI.
Earlier on Sunday, the Congress after the conclusion of the Congress Working Committee (CWC) meeting said that both the Narendra Modi government in Delhi and K Chandrashekar Rao government at Hyderabad had "betrayed" the people of Telangana. The Congress also claimed that Telangana CM KCR, as K Chandrashekar Rao is called, and his family have established "family rule" and have dragged the state back into the past by "ruling like the Nizams".
"It is time to reignite the dream of a 'Bangaaru' (golden) Telangana and deliver the future that the people of Telangana deserve...The people of Telangana hoped and wished for a 'Bangaaru' Telangana where they set the course of their own future with Nidhilu, Neelu, Niayamakalu – resources, water, employment – for all," said Congress, as per PTI
