Until recently, political parties in India did not attach much importance in declaring manifestos- a document of intention and plan, also giving clues to how a party views politics and issues it prioritizes over the rest. A common thread that binds the manifestos of the Congress, the Bharatiya Janata Party and the Rashtriya Janata Dal is their special emphasis on the marginalized groups with elements of welfarism.
The Bharatiya Janata Party’s ‘Sankalp Patra’ comes eight days after the principal opposition Congress announced its ‘Nyay Patra’ for the upcoming parliamentary polls. Titled as ‘Parivartan Patra’ (letter of change), RJD has highlighted altogether 24 promises in its manifesto. A common thread that binds the poll manifestos of these parties is there thrust on schemes for the marginalized groups with aspects of welfarism.
Here is a comparative account of the manifestos of the three major political parties in some of the key areas like health, social justice, education, youth and women empowerment.
Education
The Congress party promised that they will amend the Right to Education Act to make education from Class 1 to 12 in public schools compulsory and free. The party also said they will revisit and amend the New Education Policy (NEP) in consultation with the state governments while mentioning that education is a concurrent subject and the rights of state formulate an education policy must be respected.
On the other hand, the saffron party said they have set up 7 IITs, 16 IIITs, 7 IIMs, 15 AIIMS, 315 medical colleges and 390 universities in the past decade and they are committed to strengthening these institutes, besides further increasing the number of institutions of higher learning.
The party said it will continue to upgrade the existing institutions through focused funding, capacity building, infrastructure upgradation and dedicated research grants.
In another initiative, the BJP announced that it will achieve 100% implementation of 'One Nation, One Student ID’ through the Automated Permanent Academic Account Registry (APAAR) to store academic qualifications, credit scores and certificates, among others for students from pre-primary to higher education. The party said it will work towards a 100% Gross Enrollment Ratio from pre-school to secondary level.
On Women empowerment
Out of the almost 98 crore voting electorate, 49.7 crore are males, 47.1 crore females and 48,000 transgenders. The women voters are key in deciding the future of the parties. The BJP has pledged to empower 3 crore rural women to become ‘Lakhpati Didi.’. The party also promised to expand the existing health services focused on the prevention and reduction of Anaemia, Breast Cancer, Cervical Cancer and Osteoporosis, ensuring a healthy life for women. We will launch a focused initiative to eliminate cervical cancer.
The BJP also outlined its commitment to systematically implement Women's Reservation Bill to ensure representation for women in the Parliament and State Legislatures.
Meanwhile, the Congress resolved to launch a Mahalakshmi scheme to provide Rs 1 lakh per year to every poor Indian family as an unconditional cash transfer. The grand old party also pledged to reserve one-half (50 per cent) of central government jobs for women starting in 2025. -Will double the number of working women hostels in the country, with at least one Savitribai Phule Hostel in each district.
On Healthcare
Health became even more significant poll issue after the COVID-19 pandemic. The BJP, in its manifesto, highlights how it handled the crisis, while the Congress has promised insurance on the lines of its Rajasthan government model. The saffron party promised to strengthen the network of AIIMS to provide quality healthcare across the country. BJP also said that it expand PM-ABHIM for robust healthcare. The Party explained how it will revamp the Jan Aushadhi Kendra network to provide high-quality low-cost medicines to citizens across the country.
Meanwhile, the Congress promised that the Rajasthan Model of cashless insurance up to Rs 25 lakhs will be adopted for universal healthcare. The Congress also said that healthcare will be universal and free in public health centres such as hospitals, clinics, primary health centres, mobile healthcare units, dispensaries and health camps. Free healthcare will include examination, diagnostics, treatment, surgery, medicines, rehabilitation and palliative care -Budget allocation for Health will be increased step by step every year to achieve 4 per cent of total expenditure by 2028-29.
Also Read: Lok Sabha election 2024: Congress releases 48-page 'Nyay Patra' manifesto; take a look
Outreach towards young voters
Targeting young Voters, both parties have special segments in their manifestos to address the concerns and aspirations of young voters, a significant demographic in the upcoming Lok Sabha polls. BJP promised to implement laws against paper leaks. Continued efforts to fill government vacancies promptly. Initiatives to foster a conducive environment for startups and entrepreneurship. Focus on making India a global manufacturing hub to boost employment. Expansion of credit programs like Mudra to support aspiring entrepreneurs, doubling the Mudra loan limit.
On the other hand, the Congress promised the Implementation of a Yuva Nyay program to tackle unemployment. Introduction of a new Right to Apprenticeship Act providing one-year apprenticeships for diploma holders and college graduates under 25. Commitment to filling nearly 30 lakh vacancies in central government posts. One-time relief for applicants unable to write qualifying public exams due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
RJD’s Parivartan Patra
Outlining his party’s poll commitments, RJD scion, Tejashwi Yadav promised to implement the Old Pension Scheme (OPS) and grant special status to Bihar if elected to power. Yadav laid out plans to initiate job provisions nationwide starting from August 15, promising Rs 1 lakh annually to impoverished women on Raksha Bandhan and providing gas cylinders at Rs 500. Additionally, he pledged to offer 200 units of free electricity and construct five new airports in Bihar for enhanced connectivity.
The ’24 promises’ of the party encompass job assurances for youth, freedom from unemployment starting from August 15, and Rs 1 lakh for impoverished women from the forthcoming Rakshabandhan. If voted to power, RJD pledges to provide gas cylinders at Rs 500, enforce the Old Pension Scheme, confer special state status upon Bihar, and discontinue the Agniveer scheme.
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