Reacting apparently to Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge’s comment on poll promises, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday slammed the grand old party, saying they are badly exposed in front of the people.

In Karnataka, Congress is busier in intra-party politics and loot instead of even bothering to deliver on development, the Prime Minister said in a post on X. “Not only that, they are also going to roll back existing schemes,” he claimed.

The Congress Party is realising the hard way that making unreal promises is easy but implementing them properly is tough or impossible, Modi said. “Campaign after campaign they promise things to the people, which they also know they will never be able to deliver. Now, they stand badly exposed in front of the people!” the Prime Minister said.

Earlier, Kharge made the guarantees remark while pulling up Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar over his statement that the state government would review the ‘Shakti’ guarantee.

“If we do not go as per the budget, we will go bankrupt and there will be no money to even develop roads. If this government fails, there will be nothing left to pass on to the next generation (of Congress leaders) except for the bad name and the latter has to bear the brunt for another 10 years,” he said while interacting with reporters.

However, Shivakumar on Friday said his statement on the ‘Shakti scheme’ was distorted and presented as if the Congress government in the state wanted to withdraw it.

“Check any state where the Congress has Governments today – Himachal Pradesh, Karnataka and Telangana- the developmental trajectory and fiscal health is turning from bad to worse. Their so-called Guarantees lie unfulfilled, which is a terrible deceit upon the people of these states,” PM Modi said.

The victims of such politics are the poor, youngsters, farmers and women, who are not only denied the benefits of these promises but also see their existing schemes diluted, he added.

“The people of the country will have to be vigilant against the Congress sponsored culture of fake promises! We saw recently how the people of Haryana rejected their lies and preferred a Government that is stable, progress oriented and action driven. There is a growing realisation across India that a vote for Congress is a vote for non-governance, poor economics and unparalleled loot. The people of India want development and progress, not the same old,” said PM Modi.

In Himachal Pradesh, salaries of Government workers are not paid on time, PM Modi claimed. The Prime Minister said, in Telangana, farmers are waiting for the waiver they promised.

Previously, in Chhattisgarh and Rajasthan Congress promised certain allowances which were never implemented for five years, he said. The Prime Minister said there are numerous such examples of how the Congress works.

Two days after the disengagement between India and China, Indian troops started patrolling the Demchok sector in eastern Ladakh on Friday.

On Wednesday, both countries agreed to disengage and initiate coordinated patrols based on their understanding of the Line of Actual Control in the Demchok and Depsang sectors.

Patrolling by Indian troops in the Demchok sector of Eastern Ladakh kicked off Friday. Patrolling in the Depsang sector is expected to start soon, according to ANI. Coordinated patrolling means that both sides will be aware of each other’s patrol schedules.

Union Minister Kiren Rijiju said on Friday that he interacted with Chinese soldiers at Bumla Pass during the Diwali celebration with Indian Army personnel in Arunachal Pradesh’s Tawang district.

Sharing a video of him interacting with the Chinese soldiers on X, Rijiju said: “After talking to Chinese soldiers and seeing the infrastructures, everyone will feel proud of India’s border development now.”

The Union Minister said he also celebrated Diwali at the Army Helipad in Tawang. “It felt proud to celebrate Diwali with brave soldiers. Our country is safe only because of their dedication and courage. Jai Hind!” the senior BJP leader said.

On Thursday, soldiers from India and China shared sweets at various border locations in the Ladakh sector to celebrate Diwali. The exchange occurred at Hot Springs, Karakoram Pass, Daulat Beg Oldi, KongkLa, and the Chushul-Moldo border meeting point.

Additionally, Chief of Army Staff General Upendra Dwivedi emphasised that rebuilding trust along the LAC would be a gradual process, aiming to revert to the status quo of April 2020. He detailed that key measures—disengagement, de-escalation, and buffer zone management—are vital for alleviating tensions between the two nations. He also noted that this process would occur in phases, with each stage focusing on diminishing hostilities.

Chinese Ambassador to India Xu Feihong remarked that differences between neighboring countries like India and China are natural, but the critical aspect lies in how these differences are managed and resolved.

The border standoff began in eastern Ladakh in 2020 due to Chinese military actions and has led to prolonged tensions that have significantly affected relations between the two countries.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi on Friday greeted the people of Madhya Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala, Haryana and Chhattisgarh on their states’ formation day.

In posts on X, PM Modi highlighted various features of these states as he extended his wishes to the people living there.

‘Kannada Rajyotsava’ is a very special occasion, recognising the exemplary culture and traditions of Karnataka, he said. “This state is blessed with outstanding people, who are powering growth and innovation across sectors. May the people of Karnataka always be blessed with happiness and success,” he added.

Rahul Gandhi also greeted the people of Andhra Pradesh, Andaman and Nicobar, Chhattisgarh, Chandigarh, Delhi, Haryana, Karnataka, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Punjab, Puducherry, Tamil Nadu, and Lakshadweep on their Foundation Day.

PM Modi noted that Madhya Pradesh is blessed with bountiful natural resources and cultural heritage and described Chhattisgarh as a state known for its impressive folk traditions and tribal culture, wishing the State continued development.

“Kerala is known for its mesmerising landscapes, vibrant traditions and hardworking people. People from Kerala have made their mark all over the world, across different fields. May the people of the state keep progressing in the times to come,” PM Modi said in another post on X.

“Haryana is known for its rich and historic heritage and has always made important contributions to the country’s development,” the Prime Minister added.

The former Congress chief said these vibrant cultures, diverse languages, rich histories, and enduring traditions are the very heart of India’s strength and “give our nation its resilience”.

“Let us celebrate and safeguard this unity, recognizing that each state’s unique contribution enriches and strengthens the bonds that hold us together,” he said in a post on X.