New Delhi [India], November 2 : Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri on Saturday lambasted Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge over his remarks on the performance of Centre and said that his recent remarks on BJP stem from deep-seated frustration within his own party.
While talking to ANI, Puri alleged that Kharge was snubbed by his own party members, when Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi went to file her nomination in Wayanad, and wasn't even allowed in the room. During a recent visit to Karnataka, Kharge publicly chastised the Chief Minister and Deputy Chief Minister, emphasizing that making promises without implementation plans would damage their credibility.
"He's showing deep-seated frustration, and that frustration is also understandable. Why is it understandable? When Priyanka went to file her nomination, he was not even allowed to sit inside the room. Then when he goes to Karnataka, he sees the mess there, then with the camera on, he's telling the Chief Minister and the Deputy Chief Minister that if you make promises and you say that you're reviewing a scheme, which means you're not going to be able to implement the promises, you lack credibility and you will get into trouble. That's a reality," the Union Minister said.
Puri highlighted the fundamental difference between the BJP and Congress, noting that the BJP has consistently delivered on its election promises since 2014, whether economic, national security-oriented, or socially focused. In contrast, the opposition party makes outlandish promises without considering resource availability or implementation feasibility.
"The fundamental difference between the BJP and the Congress is when the BJP makes a statement and says we will deliver on an election promise, it has invariably delivered. If you look at all our promises from the 2014 elections to now, whether they are economic promises or promises that are more national security-oriented or social coalition-oriented we deliver that," he said.
"The opposition, on the other hand, without making a detailed analysis of what the resources available are, without deciding whether they will have the money to implement a scheme, they go and make an outlandish promise, as a result of which they get into trouble," the Union Minister added.
Criticising the opposition's promise of free electricity, Hardeep Puri said that as compared to Congress, BJP's schemes are part of a very well-thought-out development model.
"I'll give you 2 examples. Free electricity and transport. They promised to give free electricity up to 300 units. Now there are various families whose electricity consumption is more than 300 units, so what they do is they install 2-3 connections and try to keep the unit count below 300. But what PM Modi said is we'll help you get solar panels to put on your roof at a discount," he said.
"All our schemes are part of a very well-thought-out development model...Compare the price of petrol and diesel in BJP-ruled states and Congress-ruled states. Congress-ruled states have 10 rupees more per litre of expensive petrol and diesel. The Prime Minister has reduced the central excise duty rates on petrol and diesel on three occasions - on November 21, May 22 and recently. The price of petrol and diesel has come down by Rs 15 and Rs 17 because BJP-ruled states have reduced VAT on it. Whereas Congress did not do so," the Union Minister added.
Hardeep Purif further expressed confidence in the BJP's upcoming electoral performance in Jharkhand and Maharashtra, citing the decline of the Indian National Congress.
Referencing the collapse of the Jalebi factory in Haryana as a metaphor for Congress's dwindling fortunes, the Union Minister said, "I think after the collapse of the Jalebi factory in Haryana, now we see the writing on the wall in Maharashtra and Jharkhand, hence these outlandish claims about PDA or whatever he was talking about."
"Congress has been reduced from being a major national party to becoming a junior partner in all the states. I think that is because of their ill-conceived and badly thought-through policies. We'll win handsomely in Jharkhand and Maharashtra. That is why they're getting more frustrated," he added.
The row began when PM Modi Modi in his recent thread of tweets, accused Congress of making empty promises during election campaigns.
In his tweet, PM Modi claimed, "The Congress Party is realizing 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."
Responding to this, Mallikarjun Kharge on Friday said that lies, deceit, fraud, loot and publicity are the five adjectives that best define the BJP government at the centre.
"Lies, Deceit, Fakery, Loot & Publicity are the 5 adjectives which best describe your Govt! 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 posted on X.
Launching a scathing attack on the central government, the Congress chief said, " The 'B' in BJP stands for Betrayal, while the 'J' stands for 'Jhumla'.Setting the record straight."
He further highlighted several areas where the central government has allegedly failed, and said, "Why is India's Unemployment Rate at a 45-year high? Why are stampedes witnessed wherever there are vacancies for a handful of jobs? Who is responsible for 70 paper leaks in 7 years? Who snatched 5 Lakh Govt jobs by selling stake in PSUs? Why have the household savings plunged to a 50-year low? Why has the cost of a common thali increased by 52% in just last year? TOP -- Tomato Prices increased by 247%, Potato by 180% and Onion by 60%? Who levied GST on essential food items such as Milk, Curd, Atta, Dal? Who is penalising Middle Class through LTCG by indulging in Tax Terrorism?"