New Delhi : The Congress Party has unveiled its manifesto for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, focusing on the theme of 'Justice' and promising voters a total of 25 guarantees through key points. The manifesto, which was approved during a Central Executive Committee meeting held in Delhi, underscores the party's commitment to addressing various issues affecting different sections of society.
Led by party president Mallikarjun Kharge, the meeting saw discussions centered around the election manifesto, which was subsequently approved. P. Chidambaram, the Chairman of the Manifesto Committee, presented the document to the Congress president on March 6. The manifesto outlines five key areas of focus, each with specific guarantees aimed at addressing pressing concerns:
Partnership Justice: The Congress promises to undertake a caste-wise census, ensure the right of reservation, legally recognize measures for Scheduled Castes and Tribes, and establish constitutional rights for water, forest, and land. Additionally, it pledges to implement the concept of 'Your village is your right' in tribal areas.
Youth Justice: The party guarantees guaranteed employment recruitment, apprenticeship opportunities for youth aged 18 to 25, fair competitive exam practices, improved facilities for workers in the unorganized sector, and a dedicated fund of Rs. 5000 crore for youth startups.
Farmer Justice: Congress vows to provide legal status to Minimum Support Price (MSP), establish a Loan Forgiveness Commission, ensure direct deposit of insurance money into farmers' accounts, devise appropriate import-export policies, and exempt all agricultural goods from GST.
Women's Justice: The manifesto pledges an annual support of Rs. 1 lakh for women from poor families, 50 percent reservation for women in all central government recruitment, doubled salaries for Anganwadi and Asha workers, appointment of Legal Officers in Gram Panchayats to provide legal aid to women, and the doubling of hostels for working women.
Labor Justice: Congress promises free health facilities for workers, a minimum wage of Rs. 400 per day for those employed in MNREGA, extension of the MNREGA scheme to unemployed individuals in urban areas, life and accident insurance cover for workers in the unorganized sector, and the discontinuation of contractual employment in government offices.
Furthermore, the Congress plans to launch the 'Ghar Ghar Guarantee' campaign to communicate these guarantees to voters across the country. Jairam Ramesh, Congress General Secretary and Member of Parliament, emphasized that while the BJP offers guarantees based on the person of Narendra Modi, the Congress is providing guarantees directly to the people. Ramesh also asserted that despite BJP's assurances, people recognize them as mere rhetoric and expressed confidence in Congress' commitments.