Highlights of Congress’ ‘Nyay Patra’ Manifesto for Lok Sabha 2024

Manifestos serve as blueprints guiding the direction and policies of political parties. The Congress party has also unveiled its manifesto for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. Party chief Mallikarjun Kharge, along with former presidents Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi, emphasized the party’s commitment to justice through its ‘five pillars’.

The 2024 manifesto introduces ‘Paanch Nyay’ (five pillars of justice), comprising ‘Yuva Nyay’ (Youth Justice), ‘Naari Nyay’ (Gender Justice), ‘Kisaan Nyay’ (Farmers’ Justice), ‘Shramik Nyay’ (Workers’ Justice), and ‘Hissedari Nyay’ (Equity Justice), along with the party’s electoral promises for the 2024 Lok Sabha polls, leveraging energy from the “Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra.”¹

The Five Pillars of ‘Nyay Patra’²

Youth Justice: The party’s objective is to empower the youth through employment, skill enhancement, and entrepreneurship promotion, recognizing that India’s growth requires a dynamic and productive young workforce.

Gender Justice: The manifesto emphasizes gender equality, safety, and women’s empowerment. It promises policies and programs that uplift women, protect their rights, and ensure equal opportunities in all spheres of life.

Farmers’ Justice: Agriculture remains the backbone of India’s economy. The Congress pledges to support farmers by ensuring fair prices for their produce, improving irrigation facilities, and addressing agrarian distress.

Equity Justice: The Congress aims to bridge economic disparities by promoting inclusive growth. It pledges to uplift marginalized communities, provide quality education, and enhance healthcare facilities.

During the manifesto launch, P. Chidambaram, head of the Congress manifesto committee and former Union Finance Minister, expressed confidence in the party’s ability to regain power after the Lok Sabha polls. He highlighted concerns about justice in the past decade, including the erosion of institutions and loss of privileges for marginalized groups. Chidambaram emphasized that the ‘Nyay Patra’ manifesto is rooted in the principles of “Work, Wealth, and Welfare”, with a focus on addressing nationwide employment issues, stagnant wages, and income disparities.

Key Promises:³

Conduct a nationwide Socio-Economic and Caste Census and raise the reservation cap for SC, ST, and OBC. Implement 10% reservation for Economically Weaker Sections (EWS) across all castes and communities.
Establish a Government Community College in every tehsil/taluka and fill all backlog vacancies for reserved posts.
Double scholarships for OBC, SC, and ST students and ensure enhanced institutional credit for them.
Ensure freedom of choice for minorities and recognize civil unions for LGBTQIA+ couples.
Provide a legal guarantee for Minimum Support Prices (MSP) and create avenues for agricultural produce sale.
Launch Mahalakshmi scheme with ₹1 lakh yearly cash transfer to poor families.
Amend election laws for transparent voting combining EVM efficiency with ballot paper transparency.
Target to double GDP in the next decade and double the number of Anganwadi workers while ensuring a national minimum wage of ₹400 per day.
Reject the ‘one nation one election’ idea and uphold the Constitution’s mandate for timely elections.
Pass a law to curb media monopolies and cross-ownership, ensuring media independence.

From the above promises, it seems that the Congress party’s manifestos have evolved from mere promises to a more comprehensive vision for the nation, addressing critical issues and emphasizing targeted schemes. In 2014, Congress aimed to regain power with a manifesto highlighting past achievements and promises, projecting itself as India’s diverse representative. In 2019, a bolder manifesto addressed past mistakes, targeting the Modi government with the “Congress Will Deliver” vision.

Now, the manifesto introduces ‘Paanch Nyay’ (five pillars of justice), comprising Youth, Women, Farmers, Workers, and the principle of Equity. It demonstrates a comprehensive approach, touching upon various societal issues ranging from employment to agriculture, women’s rights, labor reforms, and youth empowerment. Notably, it offers precise commitments, outlining the number of government jobs envisioned and the monetary assistance planned for impoverished households. This specificity reflects a meticulous approach to governance and accountability.

Moreover, the manifesto is crafted in consideration of the current political landscape, incorporating, regional dynamics, voter sentiments, and structural changes to maintain the Constitution’s integrity and institutions’ autonomy. It also acknowledges the varying emphasis placed by different parties on distinct aspects, reflecting diverse ideologies and electoral strategies. However, the ultimate test lies in the implementation and feasibility of these promises. While promises are crucial, the true measure of success rests on the party’s ability to navigate challenges and effectively implement policies for tangible outcomes.

References: