War Of Words Escalates Between PM Modi, Kharge Over 'Unkept' Poll Promises

Prime Minister Narendra Modi's strong criticism of Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge over election promises in Karnataka has fuelled an escalating war of words between the BJP and Congress.

On Friday, Kharge issued a sharp response, accusing the BJP of deceiving the public and labelling the NDA's recent 100-day plan as "a cheap PR stunt."

Photo Credit: PTI

Responding to PM Modi's claim that Congress had failed to meet its electoral pledges in Karnataka, Kharge remarked that "lies, deceit, fakery, loot, and publicity" are defining features of the NDA government at the Centre.

"Lies, Deceit, Fakery, Loot, and publicity are the five adjectives that best describe your government! Your drumbeating regarding a 100-day plan was a cheap PR stunt! On May 16, 2024, you also claimed that you took inputs from more than 20 lakh people for the road map for 2047. RTI filed in PMO declined to put forth details, exposing your lies!" Kharge tweeted.

In a stinging critique of the BJP, the Congress leader added that the letters "B" and "J" in BJP stand for "Betrayal" and "Jumla" (a Hindi term for "empty promises").

Kharge further accused PM Modi's government of reneging on its commitments, stating that the BJP-led Centre has gone back on its promises seven times since taking office. He pointed to unfulfilled promises like "Acche din (good days ahead), two crore jobs per year, Viksit Bharat (developed India)," and said that these are just some of the questions posed to the NDA that remain unanswered.

He declared, "Modi ki Guarantee is a cruel joke on 140 crore Indians!"

PM Modi's Response to Kharge Over Karnataka Election Promises

On Friday, PM Modi launched a strong rebuke of Congress after Kharge advised his party's state units to make only "fiscally feasible" guarantees.

"The Congress Party is realising the hard way that making unreal promises is easy, but implementing them properly is tough or impossible. Campaign after campaign, they promise things to the people, which they also know they will never be able to deliver. Now, they stand badly exposed in front of the people!" PM Modi wrote on X.

The Prime Minister's remarks came a day after Kharge publicly criticised the Karnataka government when Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar suggested that one of its key pledges might be reviewed.

"You promised five guarantees in Karnataka. Inspired by you, we made a promise of five guarantees in Maharashtra. Today, you mentioned that you would cancel one of those guarantees. It seems like you don't all read the newspapers, but I do, so I'm telling you this," Kharge commented at a press conference.

In his criticism of Congress, PM Modi highlighted governance issues in states under its control, asserting that there is a steady decline in developmental progress and financial health.

"Check any state where the Congress has governments today - Himachal Pradesh, Karnataka, and Telangana - the developmental trajectory and fiscal health are turning from bad to worse," the Prime Minister stated.