No Guarantee of Winning, Anything Promised

Political parties often fear that if they fail to fulfill the promises made during elections after winning, the public will criticize them, and opposition leaders will seize the opportunity to attack them. However, when there is a belief that they have no chance of winning or coming to power under any circumstances, they tend to become overly confident. In such situations, they make grand promises that are beyond the imagination of the public.

They might even claim to create "heaven on the palm of your hand." Usually, such extravagant promises are heard from smaller parties or political comedians who lack significant influence. But when similar promises come from the Congress party, it raises eyebrows. Now, in the Delhi election arena, the Congress party, struggling to maintain its relevance, has released a manifesto filled with such unrealistic promises, hoping that the public might show them some mercy.

The Congress has announced five key guarantees for Delhi. One of them is free electricity up to 300 units, a promise already being implemented in Telangana. Similarly, they have promised gas cylinders for Rs 500, which is also being implemented elsewhere. Apart from these, they have introduced new promises, such as providing Rs 2,500 per month to every woman in the state. They have also pledged a monthly pension of Rs 5,000 for the elderly, widows, and disabled individuals. Additionally, they have promised a monthly stipend of Rs 8,500 for the youth.

Analysts believe these promises are largely impractical. Providing Rs 2,500 to every woman and a Rs 5,000 pension are significant commitments. Unless the Congress implements these in the states it currently governs, people are unlikely to believe they will fulfill them in Delhi.

Meanwhile, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), currently in power, and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), eager to overthrow AAP and come to power, are the key players in the Delhi elections. The Congress, lacking significant strength and with little chance of winning, is seen as making desperate promises to stay relevant.