Live
- No possibility of alliance with Cong for Delhi polls: Kejriwal
- Marriage an integral part of life: Top court enhances compensation to road accident victim
- 8,31L farmers get skill training in AP
- CM: Bypass to be constructed to decongest traffic in Kurukshetra
- Harassed by police, leader commits suicide in Baran
- Sikh preacher Dhadrianwale booked for rape, murder
- AI-powered digital initiatives at RGIA
- Yogi’s efforts revive Nagvasuki Temple ahead of Maha Kumbh
- Delhi drowning deaths : HC seeks CBI reply over interim bail to coaching centre officials
- Energy Secretary reviews power supply preparedness for summer
Congress MLA Issues Ultimatum on Five 'Guarantees'
Claims Guarantees Will Stop If Congress Loses Lok Sabha
Ramanagara: In a bold address to constituents in the Ramanagara district, Magadi Congress MLA H C Balakrishna sent shockwaves through political circles, asserting that the future of Congress-backed 'guarantees' hinges on the party securing a substantial number of Lok Sabha seats. Balakrishna emphasised that should Congress fall short in the upcoming polls, the government would interpret it as a rejection of their proclaimed commitments and subsequently halt their implementation.
The Congress-led government had previously pledged and delivered on five guarantees outlined in its manifesto during the last year's Assembly elections.
Drawing attention to the recent distribution of akshata by the BJP during the Ram Temple inauguration in Ayodhya on January 22, Balakrishna posed a question, urging voters to contemplate their preference between the tangible benefits of the guarantees and symbolic offerings.
Balakrishna claimed, "Your vote signifies either support for the symbolic rice grains (akshata) or the assurance of our five guarantees. If Congress achieves a higher number of Lok Sabha seats, we will persist in upholding our promises. Conversely, a shortfall in seats will be seen as a public rejection, leading us to terminate the guarantees."
Expanding on the government's endeavours, the Magadi MLA provided further details, stating, "Having successfully implemented the five guarantees and extending financial aid to 80-85 percent of women, a failure to secure votes necessitates a reconsideration of the value attributed to our commitments. In such a scenario, we might shift our focus towards constructing a temple to garner support."
This statement follows Balakrishna's history of making controversial remarks, including accusing the BJP of 'sacrificing soldiers for elections' in the aftermath of the Pulwama terror attack in 2019.
Responding to Balakrishna's ultimatum, Industries Minister M B Patil sought to reassure the public that the guarantees were not contingent on election outcomes. "We are confident of a favorable outcome in the Lok Sabha polls, expecting to secure 15-20 seats. The guarantees are not subject to electoral results; they will persist for the next five years," Patil claimed. (eom)
