Bengaluru, Apr 2 (IANS): Slamming the Congress for making "hollow promises" in its manifesto, Karnataka BJP's Rajya Sabha member Rajeev Chandrasekhar on Tuesday said they will ruin the economy, raise taxes, widen fiscal deficit and fuel high inflation.

"Congress President Rahul Gandhi is desperate and wants to shift the poll narrative from the real issues to avoid comparing the UPA government's performance for over a decade (2004-14) with the NDA rule from 2014-19," the city-based Chandrasekhar said in a statement here.

Gandhi released the party's manifesto in Delhi, saying the Congress will deliver on various fronts, including job creation, Rs 72,000 a year to the 25 crore poor people, simplified Goods and Services Tax (GST) and rural development.

"Instead of making false and empty promises, Gandhi should debate with us or the people on the performance of the UPA and the NDA governments on all fronts, including governance and rebuilding the economy," he said.