CM, Kamal Nath engage in war of words over fulfilling promises
| Date :13-Feb-2023 |
Senior Special
Correspondent
Ahead of Assembly polls, the State Congress unit and Shivraj singh Chouhan are engaged in war of words, everyday CM fires a question to the State Congress President and the latter encounters it. “The Congress has not fulfilled a single promise. But Kamal Nathji started making false promises again Nothing more than a bundle of lies. Congress was in power for 15 months and had issued a 973-point manifesto. They have not fulfilled a single promise. We are asking questions based on those false promises. We are also asking questions as the Congress has started coming up with false promises again in view of impending elections,” Shivraj Singh Chouhan said.
The Opposition Congress has started making promises, including farm loan waiver and implementation of the old pension scheme. Opposition Congress, which formed the Government in the State in December 2018 for 15 months, has been making new announcements including farm loan waiver and implementation of the old pension scheme.
The Congress has promised to give bonus on several crops including wheat, gram, mustard and rice. Did they give it on any crop during,” Chouhan asked.
Responding to his question, former CM Kamal Nath said, “Heard that Shivrajji is asking me questions about which promises we have fulfilled and which we have not. Only a person with an unstable mind can ask such questions. It is not the Chief Minister’s job to ask questions but to implement public welfare schemes. If our announcements were in public interest, then he should implement them.” Nath also advised Chouhan should save queries for future, claiming people will throw him out of power and give a lot of opportunity to raise questions. “I feel he is doing net-practice for the same.” However, Chouhan hit back saying, “It is a matter of shame that instead of replying to the question, they are responding in this kind of language. If you have fulfilled promises, then give an answer.
Why are you feeling uncomfortable?” Chouhan said. “You (Nath) continue to mislead people, keep saying false things and expect us not to ask questions. Kamal Nathji tum idhar-udhar ki baat mat karo. Yeh batao ki kafila luta kyun hai” (don't divert the issue, but give answers), he said.
The CM also said the Congress in its 2018 poll manifesto promised milk producing farmers a bonus of Rs five per litre. Did you give it in 15 months? he asked. Kamal Nath, instead of replying to Chouhan’s question, asked about a promise made by the BJP Government on providing Rs 20 lakh interest free long-term loan to women self-help groups for primary processing of milk. What happened to that promise? Or have you turned that promise on milk into curd? the Congress leader said.
“I again request you to follow the decorum associated with the CM’s post. Stop making unnecessary comments and start working. Do at least a single work of public welfare during whatever little time is left of your government that came to power by indulging in selling-purchasing (indicating horse trading). “He asked questions about promises made by the government on doubling number of 108 ambulances, ensuring 100 per cent purchase of lentil crops, compensation to farmers for an unexpected calamity and also sought to know why farmers were getting notices for returning the money they received under PM-Kisan Samman Nidhi.” Nath remarked.
When one day the CM did not pose any query, Nath said, “The CM’s job is to work for people’s welfare. Today, when no question came from your end till sunset, I realised that finally better sense prevailed on you (Subah ka bhoola agar sham ko ghar aa jaye toh... Nath also said the CM should better read their 2018 poll manifesto carefully and fulfil promises made to people. He should answer questions raised by youth, farmers, labourers, unemployed people, women and try to fulfil the promises made to them before the tenure ends,” he said. The next day, Chouhan fired two questions at Nath. The Congress leader then asked the reason behind making only two queries and if there was a shortage of questions for the CM.