Union Minister G Kishan Reddy has launched a sharp political attack on the Congress party's leadership, directly questioning Sonia Gandhi about the status of key electoral promises made to the people of Telangana. In an open letter dated Sunday, the senior BJP leader challenged the Congress to account for its commitments, particularly to the agricultural sector, two years after coming to power in the state.
The Core of the Controversy: Unmet 'Abhayahastam' Guarantees
Reddy's letter zeroes in on the Congress party's 2023 assembly election manifesto, famously titled 'Abhayahastam' (Hand of Assurance). He reminded Sonia Gandhi of her personal assurances regarding the immediate implementation of six key guarantees once the party assumed power. With the Congress administration led by Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy now completing two years in office, the Union Minister pointedly asked whether any internal introspection or inquiry had been conducted to evaluate the status of these manifesto pledges.
He raised a critical question: did Sonia Gandhi even broach the topic of these unfulfilled promises during her recent interactions with the Telangana Chief Minister? Reddy's correspondence suggests a significant gap between the party's high command's commendations and the ground reality in Telangana.
A Warning of Political Repercussions
The minister issued a stark warning about potential public disillusionment. He cautioned that the failure to uphold these solemn commitments could trigger a severe public backlash. In a powerful metaphorical flourish, Reddy stated that the initial 'Abhayahastam' could transform into a 'Bhasmasura Hasta' (Hand of Destruction), symbolizing the ruinous consequences of broken trust with the electorate.
Reddy also referenced the 'Telangana Rising – 2047 Vision Document' presented to Sonia Gandhi. While reports indicated she acknowledged the government's performance and praised the Chief Minister's developmental vision, Reddy argued this revealed a disconnect. "The expressions of congratulations... seem to indicate a disconnect on Gandhi's part regarding the actual state of affairs concerning the execution of electoral promises," he wrote, asserting there was no substantive evaluation of whether pledges were honoured.
Accusations of Misleading the Public
The Union Minister did not mince words in criticizing the state government's track record. He slammed the Telangana government, accusing it of failing to deliver on its electoral commitments and suggesting it might be misleading the populace. Reddy laid down a clear argument: before proposing new initiatives or lofty aspirations, the Congress administration must first fulfil its existing obligations to demonstrate any credibility.
He concluded with a clear message about electoral accountability. Reddy stated that if promises remain unfulfilled, the electorate in Telangana would be compelled to withdraw their support in a decisive manner, delivering a stark lesson to the ruling party. This open letter sets the stage for a heated political debate in Telangana as the state government approaches the mid-point of its term.
