Top leaders of the Congress party unveiled their manifesto for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections on Friday, with a primary focus on what they term as the five ‘pillars of justice’. The manifesto launch event will witness the presence of party chief Mallikarjun Kharge alongside former party presidents Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi. The Congress party made a significant stride in its election campaign on Friday by releasing its manifesto titled “Nyay Patra” for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections in 2024. Former Finance Minister P. Chidambaram, presenting the manifesto, highlighted its central theme of “justice” and issued veiled criticisms against the BJP-led government.
Focus on justice
Emphasising the importance of justice, Chidambaram asserted that various aspects of justice had faced threats and weakening over the past decade, particularly in the last five years under the BJP regime. “Every aspect of justice has been threatened, weakened in the last 10 years, especially in the last five years," said Chidambaram.
Core principles
The “Nyay Patra” manifesto revolved around three fundamental pillars: “work,” “wealth,” and “welfare.” These principles encapsulated the Congress party’s vision for addressing socio-economic disparities and promoting inclusive growth.
Promises for economic empowerment
One of the key pledges in the Congress manifesto was to provide 10% reservation in jobs and educational institutions for Economically Weaker Sections (EWS) across all castes and communities, without discrimination, if the party secures power in the upcoming elections.
Education and employment initiatives
The manifesto outlined plans to establish one Government Community College in every tehsil/taluk, aimed at offering educational opportunities to students completing Class 12. Additionally, Congress vows to expand employment prospects for youth by providing a diverse range of degrees and diplomas through these community colleges.
Socio-economic reforms
The Congress party committed to conducting a nationwide socio-economic and caste census to better understand the country’s demographic and economic landscape. Furthermore, it pledged to push for a constitutional amendment to increase the reservation cap to 50% for Scheduled Castes (SC), Scheduled Tribes (ST), and Other Backward Classes (OBC).
Anticipated impact
With the release of the “Nyay Patra” manifesto, the Congress aims to galvanise support by articulating its vision for equitable growth, social justice, and economic empowerment. The manifesto’s promises resonate with the party’s agenda to address systemic inequalities and uplift marginalised communities across India.
