It is known that senior Congress leader Sonia Gandhi on Sunday addressed a political rally in Tukkuguda near Hyderabad. On the occasion, she kicked off the Congress party's Telangana campaign ahead of the Assembly elections later this year. The Grand Old Party made six tall promises to voters.
Under the Mahalakshmi Scheme, Rs 2,500 will be given to women per month. LPG cylinder will be given at a cost of Rs 500. The subsidy bill will be borne by the government. Like in Karnataka, free bus travels will be afforded to women (regardless of their income and status) on RTC buses.
Farmers are going to get an exciting deal if the Congress comes to power. Under Rythu Bharosa, Rs 15,000 will be given to landowners and tenants on an annual basis. Rs 12,000 will be given to agricultural laborers annually. Rs 500 per quintal will be transferred to paddy growers (above MSP).
In an attempt to woo those voters who feel electricity rates are too high in Telangana, a Gruha Jyothi Guarantee has been promised. Under this, 200 units of electricity will be supplied for all households for free.
Besides the above schemes, monthly mentions for the old and other promises have been made.
Critics have described the promises as an example of the scorched-earth policy. "The Congress party wants to come to power at any cost. It is not bothered about the fiscal health of any State, be it Karnataka, Himachal Pradesh or Telangana," Netizens said.
