Reacting to the EC’s directive, Congress spokesperson Gurdeep Singh Sappal expressed his dismay and questioned the BJP’s role in the matter. He referred to the BJP’s use of the “Mahtari Vandan Yojana” in Chhattisgarh, where party workers had identified potential beneficiaries ahead of last year’s polls. Sappal highlighted that the BJP had no objection from the EC at that time, raising concerns about the commission’s apparent inconsistency in its approach.
Sappal further pointed out the BJP’s use of “Modi ki Guarantee” in its manifesto for the recent elections. He argued that the public has come to perceive the BJP’s guarantees as unreliable, unlike the Congress’s, which have been fulfilled in states where the party has won. Sappal’s statement suggests that the Congress believes the BJP’s electoral tactics have eroded public trust in the party’s guarantees.
In its complaint to the EC, the BJP alleged that the Congress’s “Ghar Ghar Guarantee” outreach program was a form of bribery that violated electoral norms. The EC’s directive prohibits political parties from distributing guarantee cards or using the words “guarantee” and “card” in their election campaigns. The directive aims to prevent the misuse of post-election schemes for political gain and ensure fairness in the electoral process.
