- Monday, April 29, 2024
Both sides have prioritised women, workers, youth, farmers and poor in their respective election documents.
By: Shubham Ghosh
THE first phase of the Indian general elections is just three days away. All major parties eyeing the office of power are busy giving the final touches to their respective preparations. One of the key aspects of the parties’ election strategy is their manifestos that they have placed before the electorate ahead of the seven-phase voting.
On April 14, the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of prime minister Narendra Modi unveiled its manifesto titled “Modi Ki Guarantee”. It covered 10 groups and 14 sectors with a focus on the empowerment of four specific groups whom the PM has referred to as four castes of GYAN — an acronym for ‘gareeb’ (poor), yuva (youth), annadata (farmers) and nari (women).
The document also promises to expand the scope of prevailing policies for economic and social empowerment of the four key groups.
The opposition Indian National Congress, on the other hand, released its manifesto nine days ago on April 5 and it focussed on NYAY or justice. The Grand-Old Party’s document also makes 25 guarantees that cover the youth, women, farmers, workers and speaks about social justice. Like the BJP, the opposition party has also pledged creation of employment, a major issue in this election.
The Congress also promised to transfer Rs 100,000 to the country’s poorest families annually as an unconditional cash transfer.
The party has pledged to conduct a comprehensive nationwide socio-economic and caste census to assess the various castes and sub-castes along with their socio-economic status. Additionally, the Congress has committed to pursuing a constitutional amendment aimed at increasing the 50 per cent limit on reservations for Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, and Other Backward Classes (OBCs).
The ruling party’s manifesto has promised to ensure free ration under the PM Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana to 800 million people, which has been extended till 2029; a price stabilisation fund for vegetables and pulses; and self-reliance on producing pulses, vegetables and edible oils for guaranteeing food security.
It also promised to provide free health care of up to Rs 500,000 to poor families under the Ayushman Bharat Scheme. The Hindu nationalist party also said that it will work to expand scope of PM Awas Yojana scheme and set up additional 30 million houses for the poor; ensure potable water to every household; and decrease electricity bills by supplying free solar power under the PM Surya Ghar Yojana.
The Congress has pledged to raise the daily wages under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS) to Rs 400. It proposes to utilize MGNREGS funds and workers for constructing public assets such as classrooms, libraries, and primary health centres. Furthermore, the party plans to introduce an urban employment guarantee scheme for the urban poor to revitalise urban infrastructure.
It also ensures a national minimum wage of Rs 400 per day. In addition, the Congress aims to amend the GST law, which the Modi government started in 2017, to align with the widely accepted principle of a single, moderate rate (with exceptions) that does not impose a burden on the poor.
In the field of infrastructure, the BJP has committed to implementing a number of bullet train projects covering all corners of the nation, along with an expansion of the railway network to enhance capacity for both passenger and cargo transportation.
Additionally, it looks to renovate railway stations, introduce Vande Bharat sleeper trains, extend the Metro network in cities, upgrade rural roads, and alleviate urban congestion, while also expanding air, road, and rail networks.
In contrast, the Congress manifesto emphasizes the importance of attracting private investment to develop public assets and infrastructure. It accuses the BJP government of using public funds to create assets that eventually benefit private entities. The Congress vows to halt the alleged misuse of public funds and to modernize an “outdated railway infrastructure”, ensuring that trains and stations cater to the needs of the general public and commuters.
The BJP manifesto pledges to continue providing Rs 6,000 annually to farmers through PM Kisan Nidhi and to bolster the crop insurance scheme, along with ensuring timely reviews of Minimum Support Prices (MSP) for crops. Additionally, it vows to support the production of nutritious vegetables, establish new clusters for essential produce such as onions and tomatoes, enhance storage facilities, and emphasize natural farming and crop diversification. The BJP also commits to promoting Shree Anna (millets) for food security, nutrition, and environmental sustainability.
The Congress, on the other hand, promises “a legal guarantee” for annual MSP as recommended by the Swaminathan Commission. It pledges to elevate the Commission for Agricultural Costs and Prices to a statutory body and establish a Permanent Commission on Agricultural Finance to regularly report on agricultural credit and the necessity for loan forbearance.
The BJP has committed to continuing its anti-corruption efforts, enacting the Uniform Civil Code, and developing a national litigation policy to quicken court proceedings. The party said it aims to simplify governmental processes, procedures, rules, and regulations to reduce government involvement in citizens’ daily lives.
The Congress seeks to address the climate of fear by amending laws to combat hate speeches, hate crimes, and communal conflicts. It expresses concerns about the erosion of democracy in India and emphasizes the importance of upholding democratic principles. The Congress manifesto guarantees that law-enforcement agencies would operate within the bounds of the law and be subject to parliamentary or state legislative oversight.
In foreign affairs, Modi’s BJP has pledged to reinforce India’s leadership role among Global South nations, advocate for permanent membership at the UN Security Council, persist with global efforts against terrorism, and combat terror financing. It also wants to maintain focus on the Neighbourhood First policy, expand India’s diplomatic reach, and engage the Indian diaspora in the nation’s progress.
Conversely, the Congress vows to uphold continuity in foreign policy, drawing from the legacy of the freedom movement and the guidance of leaders such as Jawaharlal Nehru, India’s first prime minister. It promises to work towards restoring India’s international reputation, which it believes has been tarnished by the current government’s alleged intolerance of dissent and disregard for human rights.
The BJP has committed to a policy of zero tolerance towards terrorism, focusing on infrastructure development along the borders, enhancing cybersecurity measures, eradicating Left Wing Extremism, and fortifying paramilitary forces with advanced equipment and skilled personnel. It also plans to enforce the Citizenship (Amendment) Act and establish a National Forensics Mission.
The Congress pledges to collaborate with state governments to bolster police forces in maintaining law and order and ensuring impartial justice for offenders. The party also promises to address the “unfinished agenda” by establishing a National Intelligence Grid and a National Counter-Terrorism Centre.
The BJP has vowed to expand the Lakhpati Didis initiative, a self-help group (SHG) programme aimed at boosting rural women’s earnings, with a target of increasing participants from 10 million to 30 million. The scheme provides opportunities for women to earn a minimum of Rs 100,000 annually. It also pledges to empower women SHGs by providing them with skills and resources in key service sectors such as information technology, healthcare, education, retail, and tourism to enhance their income.
The party also commits to integrating SHGs with existing initiatives such as One District One Product to improve market access for their products. Furthermore, the BJP promises to promote women’s participation in the workforce by developing hostels, daycare centres, and additional public toilets. It also intends to expand health services focused on the prevention and treatment of breast and cervical cancer.
The Congress manifesto introduces the Mahalakshmi scheme, offering an unconditional cash transfer of Rs 100,000 annually to every impoverished family, with priority given to those at the bottom of the income pyramid. The Congress further pledges to reserve 50 per cent of central government jobs for women starting next year.
It wants to increase the representation of women as judges, government secretaries, senior police officers, legal professionals, and board directors of listed companies. The opposition party also commits to doubling the number of working women’s hostels and establishing at least one Savitribai Phule Hostel in each district.
