New Delhi: As the Lok Sabha elections approach, the Congress party and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) have released their respective manifestos, known as ‘Nyay Patra’ and ‘Sankalp Patra’. These documents outline each party’s vision and commitments for India’s future.
The manifesto was unveiled in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and party President JP Nadda.
The ‘Nyay Patra’ by Congress focuses on social justice, economic revival, and strengthening democratic institutions, while the ‘Sankalp Patra’ by the BJP emphasizes infrastructure development, national security, and economic growth. As voters evaluate their choices, these manifestos provide crucial insights into the parties’ proposed policies and initiatives for shaping India’s trajectory in the upcoming years. Here is a comparison of the manifestoes of both the parties.
Election Manifesto Comparison Of Congress And BJP
- The BJP’s manifesto, titled ‘Modi Ki Guarantee,’ outlines promises centered around the party’s commitment to the nation’s development pillars: women, youth, the underprivileged, and farmers.
- On the other hand, the Congress party’s manifesto, branded as ‘Nyay Patra,’ carries the imprint of Rahul Gandhi’s Bharat Jodi Nyay Yatra. It focuses on five ‘pillars of justice,’ namely Yuva Nyay, Naari Nyay, Kisaan Nyay, Shramik Nyay, and Hissedari Nyay.
Economic Policies and Welfare Programs
- The BJP and Congress have unveiled their economic policies and welfare programs in their respective manifestos. The BJP has vowed to extend health coverage under the Ayushman Bharat Yojana to senior citizens aged above 70 years. Additionally, the transgender community will also be included in the health scheme.
- They also plan to double the loan limit from the current Rs 10 lakhs to Rs 20 lakhs under the MUDRA Yojana. Furthermore, the BJP commits to reducing electricity bills to zero for millions of families and continuing the free ration scheme for the next five years.
- On the other hand, the Congress party has pledged to introduce a 10% quota in jobs and educational institutions for economically weaker sections across all castes and communities. Additionally, they promise to fill nearly 30 lakh vacancies in central government posts and are considering adopting the Rajasthan model of cashless insurance to provide universal healthcare.
Young Voters
- Both parties have unveiled policies for young voters. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has outlined promises pledging to implement stringent laws against paper leaks and expedite the filling of government vacancies.
- Additionally, the party is committed to enhancing India’s manufacturing sector to boost employment opportunities.
- On the other hand, the Congress party has presented a comprehensive plan addressing unemployment through their Yuva Nyay programme. They propose the introduction of a new Right to Apprenticeship Act, offering a one-year apprenticeship to every diploma holder or college graduate below 25 years of age in either private or public sector companies.
- Moreover, in response to the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, they have promised one-time relief to applicants who missed qualifying public examinations between April 2020 and June 2021 due to pandemic-related disruptions.
Farmers
- In a bid to secure the crucial farmer vote bank ahead of the elections, both major political parties have unveiled their promises and plans for the agricultural sector. The party has promised a time-to-time hike in the MSP if elected to power for the third term.
- The BJP has pledged to enhance the PM Fasal Bima Yojana by integrating more technological interventions. This move aims to ensure quicker and more precise assessment of crop damages, expedited payouts, and swift resolution of grievances.
- Additionally, the party has reaffirmed its commitment to the PM-Kisan Samman Nidhi scheme, ensuring continued benefits for the country’s 10 crore farmers.
- Highlighting its vision for cooperative growth, the BJP introduced the ‘Rashtriya Sahkarita Niti’ and underscored its ambitious plans to position India as a global nutrition hub with a particular emphasis on ‘Shree Anna’.
- On the other hand, the Congress party has promised a legal guarantee for the Minimum Support Prices (MSP) set by the government annually, in line with the recommendations of the Swaminathan Commission. This move aims to provide farmers with greater financial security and stability.
- Furthermore, the Congress has proposed to appoint a Permanent Commission on Agricultural Finance. This commission would be tasked with regularly assessing the availability and accessibility of agricultural credit, as well as evaluating the need for loan forbearance measures to support farmers in times of financial distress.
Senior Citizens
- The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has unveiled its plans to support senior citizens in its manifesto. The party has committed to collaborating with state governments to ensure convenient facilities for senior citizens to undertake sacred pilgrimages across the country.
- Additionally the party has vowed to extend health coverage under the Ayushman Bharat Yojana to senior citizens aged above 70 years.
- On the other hand, the Congress party has put forward a comprehensive plan aimed at improving the quality of life for senior citizens in India. One of the key highlights of their manifesto is the strict enforcement of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016, emphasizing inclusivity and accessibility for all.
- Additionally, the Congress party intends to bolster financial support for the elderly by raising the contribution to pensions under the National Social Assistance Programme to ₹1,000 per month for senior citizens, widows, and persons with disabilities.
- Furthermore, the party has pledged to restore travel concessions in public transport, both rail and road, ensuring that senior citizens have affordable and accessible means of transportation.
Health
- BJP manifesto focuses on strengthening the network of All India Institutes of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) to ensure quality healthcare access throughout the country.
- The party also plans to expand the Pradhan Mantri Atmanirbhar Swasth Bharat Yojana (PM-ABHIM) to bolster robust healthcare infrastructure.
- Additionally, the BJP aims to enhance the Jan Aushadhi Kendra network, offering high-quality, low-cost medicines to citizens across India.
- On the other hand, the Congress party has proposed the adoption of the Rajasthan Model, which provides cashless insurance coverage up to ₹25 lakhs, as part of its universal healthcare plan.
- Promising free healthcare services across public health centres, including hospitals, clinics, primary health centres, mobile healthcare units, dispensaries, and health camps, Congress assures that citizens will have access to free examinations, diagnostics, treatment, surgery, medicines, rehabilitation, and palliative care.
- Furthermore, the party plans to incrementally increase the budget allocation for health, aiming to achieve 4 per cent of the total expenditure by the fiscal year 2028-29.
Women
- Women voters are poised to play a pivotal role in shaping the future of political parties.
- The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has unveiled plans to empower three crore rural women, aiming to transform them into ‘Lakhpati Didis.’
- Additionally, the party has committed to expanding health services with a special focus on preventing and reducing ailments like Anaemia, Breast Cancer, Cervical Cancer, and Osteoporosis. A significant initiative under this plan is the targeted elimination of cervical cancer.
- Furthermore, the BJP has expressed its commitment to systematically implement the Women’s Reservation Bill, aiming to ensure enhanced representation for women in both Parliament and State Legislatures.
- On the other hand, the Congress party has proposed the launch of the Mahalakshmi scheme, which promises an unconditional cash transfer of ₹1 lakh per year to every economically disadvantaged Indian family.
- In a bid to boost women’s employment, Congress plans to reserve 50 per cent of central government jobs for women, starting from 2025.
- Additionally, the party aims to double the number of working women hostels across the country, with a goal to establish at least one Savitribai Phule Hostel in each district.
- The manifesto also pledges to redress gender disparities in legal rights and protections. Reviewing existing laws related to marriage, succession, inheritance, and guardianship, the Congress party aims to ensure equality between men and women under the law.
- The Congress has also promised to remove the provisions of the Constitution (106th) Amendment Act so that one-third reservation for women can be applied to State Assemblies that will be elected in the next round of Assembly elections in 2025. The one-third reservation for women will also be applied to the Lok Sabha that will be elected in 2029, the party said.
