Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar defended the states welfare guarantees in response to Prime Minister Modis criticism, asserting that the Congress model of development is being emulated nationwide. While speaking to reporters, Shivakumar also underlined the importance of prioritising peoples progress over political conflict.Responding to PM Modis fake promises of Congress jibe, Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar said, Our guarantees are the model of the country. And the entire country is looking at our model. Though BJP states are there, theyre copying our guarantees. He further underscored that the Congress guarantees have promoted peoples development, Their stomachs have filled. It is a guarantee for the progress of the country. So they (BJP) look at politics, we (Congress) look at development, he said.Senior Congress leader K.C. Venugopal also issued a rebuttal to Prime Minister Narendra Modis recent criticisms of Congress-led governments, defending Congresss record on welfare initiatives while questioning the Modi governments unfulfilled promises. Venugopal referred to PM Modi as the uncrowned champion of puffery, misdirection, and unfulfilled promises, adding that it was ironic for Modi to question Congresss commitment to welfare.Venugopals response came after Modi accused Congress of making unreal promises during their campaigns and failing to deliver on them. Highlighting various welfare measures initiated by Congress, especially in Karnataka, Venugopal argued that, unlike the BJPs election gimmicks, the Congress model focuses on consistent welfare delivery.He pointed out specific schemes implemented by Congress governments in Karnataka and Telangana, which he claimed have benefited millions of women, farmers, and the underprivileged.Our government in Karnataka, on the other hand, is routinely delivering Rs. 2,000 to 1.2 crore women. We are ensuring food security through the Anna Bhagya Scheme, which the Centre opposed, Venugopal stated. He also underlined that the Congress government in Telangana has helped alleviate the debt burden of many farmers, and credited Karnatakas Shakti scheme, which provides free bus travel for women, as a significant step toward womens empowerment. Three crore women of Karnataka have experienced newfound freedom due to the free bus travel guaranteed by the Shakti scheme, he said via a post on X.Venugopal contrasted Congresss record with Modis promises, questioning the delivery of key projects and goals laid out by the BJP-led central government. The senior Congress leader asked, Where are the Ache Din, Mr. Modi Where is the Amrit Kaal What happened to deliver housing for all by 2022, 100 smart cities, or the many lies you told the people about the benefits of demonetisation He further criticized the BJP, saying that while Congresss welfare model has stood the test of time since independence, BJP leaders have no right to create doubt over our governance. Venugopal called the BJPs approach insincere, vengeful, and non-performing, adding that Congress remains committed to effective governance and welfare-focused policies.Venugopals response was a direct reply to Modis recent thread of tweets, in which the Prime Minister accused Congress of making empty promises during election campaigns. In his tweet, PM Modi claimed, The Congress Party is realizing the hard way that making unreal promises is easy but implementing them properly is tough or impossible. Campaign after campaign, they promise things to the people, which they also know they will never be able to deliver.PM Modi cited issues in Congress-ruled states, mentioning that the developmental trajectory and fiscal health is turning from bad to worse in Karnataka, Himachal Pradesh, and Telangana. He alleged that Congresss unfulfilled promises were misleading the poor, youth, farmers, and women, and that existing welfare schemes were being neglected. Modi urged the public to be vigilant against what he termed the Congress-sponsored culture of fake promises and cited Haryanas recent election results as evidence of people rejecting Congress. (Except for the headline, nothing has been changed by Top Indian News in the wire.)