Game of ‘Fake Promises’

"Promises unfulfilled or brushed aside are not mere empty words that ring hollow to the masses but reflect the character of the ruler mouthing them aloud,” Political philosopher Machiavelli elaborated on this in his treatise, The Prince. History has not been kind to such devious mischiefs perpetuated on subjects under despotic or democratic governance. Nor shall fate of those be written in golden words, which allude to dole politics or largesse-laced assurances within democracies to entice favourable votes to win elections. A valuable lesson so easily unlearnt by Indian National Congress, the INC think tank.

Before we understand the goof-up done by none other than the Deputy CM of Karnataka, DK Shivakumar, let’s take a look at what poll promises have been made by the Congress in states where it formed the government over the past two years.

FIVE GUARANTEES IN KARNATAKA

Rs 2,000 per month to every woman head of a family, free bus passes for all women, Rs 3,000 for graduates and Rs 1,500 for diploma holders as unemployment monthly payment, 10 kilos of rice, and 200 units of free power to households.

TEN GUARANTEES IN HIMACHAL PRADESH

Old Pension Scheme, 5 lakh jobs, Rs 1,500/month to women head of a family, 300 units of free electricity, free medical treatment via mobile vans, and so on.

Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu has completed 2 years in government in the state, which faced massive destruction due to rains in the Manali region. But today his party members stand disillusioned at the spate of unkept promises and public backlash. All vacant government job opportunities have been terminated. Forget about the 5 lakh job commitment. Over past two years, CM Sukhu claims to have provided only 20,000 jobs and declares the terminated govt jobs as restructuring. The monthly grant of Rs 1,500 to women heads of family is at best partially fulfilled. From 300 units of free electricity, poll promise has been reduced to 125 units, which is also due to be terminated. Debunking claims of pro-farmer governance, farmers now have to pay electricity charges, which had been waived under previous BJP govt. And for all these unfulfilled or sidelined promises, CM Shuku blames empty state coffers inherited from the previous BJP government. Even the Congress grassroots worker today stands disillusioned at such arguments.

Karnataka’s caste census—touted as a remedy to social discrimination—remains in limbo, raising questions about the Congress’s promise of equity. Initially hyped during the elections and supported by Nitish Kumar, the census now exposes a rift between CM Siddaramaiah and Dy CM DK Shivakumar, especially on the VokkaligaLingayat divide. So, was the census ever the “magic bullet” for fair representation, or just an empty promise?

Providing free 10 Kg rice & 200 units of free electricity is a major drain on Karnataka’s budget. CM Siddaramaiah has already appealed to the Central government to release more grains and budgetary support twice in the past two years. Rs 3,000 for graduates and Rs 1,500 for diploma holders is running behind in its payment schedule by over six months. Job creation and government jobs for the unemployed are not talked about at all—as though the problem, never existed.

In this milieu, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge recently reprimanded DK Shivakumar, blaming his “revisit” comment on guarantee schemes for aiding the BJP. Kharge warned Shivakumar, saying, “You’ve created doubts by suggesting we might dump a scheme.” The irony is hard to miss: Amit Shah’s infamous “jumla” remark, once used to deflect criticism over BJP’s unfulfilled black money promise, now seems to haunt the Congress just as blatantly. How long can Congress leadership shield its regional leaders’ missteps?

In a frontal assault on the freebies announced as poll promises by the Congress, PM Modi took to Twitter, “Campaign after campaign they promise things to people, which shows they also know they will never deliver. Now they stand badly exposed in front of the people! Be vigilant against Congress sponsored culture of fake promises”. PM Modi used #FakePromisesof Congress, as hashtag. Nothing could have hurt Congress more than this hashtag – “Fake Promises”.

Rubbing it hard, PM Narendra Modi wrote, “In Karnataka, Congress is busy in intra-party politics and loot instead of bothering to deliver on development. They are going to rolling back existing schemes. In Himachal, the salaries of government workers are not paid. In Telangana, farmers are waiting for the waiver… There are numerous such examples of how Congress works”.

While Kharge retorted with his tweet, “Lies, Deceit, Fakery, Loot & Publicity are the 5 adjectives which best describe your Govt !” The messaging in the impending Maharashtra & Jharkhand elections shall resound in favour of the BJP-led NDA.

Given the long list of disaffection in most Congress-ruled states, DK Shivakumar’s remarks on policy revisit in Karnataka shall resonate far & wide. The entire case of the Caste survey, which acted as a trump card in Maharashtra during the Lok Sabha election, shall now be countered with Joomlebaz Congress. An allegation, well supported by Congress dilly-dally on this issue in Karnataka. Poll promises of statesponsored dole shall find its counter with the bus ride Joomla and several Joomlas currently being debated in Himachal Pradesh & Telangana. Will this be the end of Joomlaladen electoral politics in Indian polity – never.

Shouldn’t one of Rahul Gandhi’s counsel, find time to revisit “The Prince” by Italian philosopher, Machiavelli.

THE VIEWS EXPRESSED BY THE AUTHOR ARE PERSONAL

Ajay Kumar The writer is Political Commentator & Journalist