The Power of Promises: Manifestos for Odisha Elections 2024

The elections for the State Legislative Assembly in Odisha coincide with the Lok Sabha elections and are being conducted in four phases. The first phase began on May 13, followed by the second phase on May 20, the third phase on May 25, and the final phase on June 1, 2024. Voters of Odisha will elect 147 members of Legislative Assembly and 21 Members of Lok Sabha in this election.

Major highlights of Manifestos of Political Parties:

Biju Janata Dal (BJD):

The BJD’s 2024 election manifesto, “Empowering Odisha, Transforming Lives,” emphasizes inclusive growth, sustainable development, and social justice. It includes plans to introduce the Kalingashree and Kalinga Bhushan awards, similar to the Padma Shri and Padma Bhushan awards, to honor Odisha’s cultural heritage. The party also proposes a Rs 1,000 crore heritage development fund to preserve religious sites, heritage locations, and places linked to notable figures. Additionally, Rs 100 crore would be allocated for the advancement and popularization of Odia as a classical language.¹

The ruling party has pledged to establish a Centre of Excellence at Sambalpur University, allocating a Rs 25 crore corpus fund for regional language research. Youth empowerment is central in the BJD’s plans, with a dedicated budget of Rs. 1 lakh crore over the next decade. The manifesto also promises increased scholarships for girls and boys, along with the creation of two lakh government jobs in the next five years. Additionally, plans include the establishment of a new skills and entrepreneurship university, a State Institute of Fashion Technology, and an Artificial Intelligence (AI) University in Odisha.

The manifesto also pledges free electricity for households using up to 100 units and subsidized rates for those using 100 to 150 units. It outlines plans to empower Women, SCs, STs, OBCs, and Minority communities through interest-free loans, financial support for self-help groups, and pension schemes. The manifesto promises government business worth ₹20,000 crore for Self Help Groups (SHGs) over 10 years, a ₹100 crore corpus fund to assist individual women entrepreneurs with loans up to ₹10 lakh, and a pension under Mission Shakti. Grassroots women workers will receive Biju Swasthya Kalyan Yojana (BSKY) coverage and social security pensions. The party also pledges to continue and expand initiatives like the KALIA scheme for farmers and provide financial assistance for dependent girl marriages and crop loans.

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP):

The BJP’s “Modi Ka Guarantee for Odisha 2024” manifesto outlines several key promises. It pledges to create 3.5 lakh jobs over five years and provide a Rs 50,000 cash voucher for women under the “Subhadra Yojana.” The party also commits to refunding money lost by chit-fund investors within 18 months. The BJP manifesto promised ‘Samrudh Krushak Niti’, under which paddy will be procured at Rs 3,100 per quintal and the money will be credited to the bank accounts of farmers within 48 hours.

Additionally, the BJP promises to establish “Odia Samudaya Bhawans” in metro cities for Odia people living outside the state. It promises to fill 65,000 vacant government positions transparently in two years and introduce the Ayushman Bharat scheme within 100 days.²

Indian National Congress (INC):

The Congress Party’s manifesto for the 2024 elections in Odisha includes 90 promises and nine guarantees. They aim to address unfinished tasks from the BJD’s 24-year rule and the BJP’s nine-year term. Promises include a bonus on top of a Rs 3000 per quintal Minimum Support Price (MSP) for paddy, waiver of agricultural loans, Rs 2000 monthly pension for farmers, free 200 units of electricity for households, employment for 5 lakh youths, and Rs 3000 monthly unemployment allowance.³

Further, the party pledged to waive off loans of Women Self Help Groups, providing LPG cylinders to every family at Rs 500 and offering free health services up to Rs 25 lakh to both government employees and other people. The party also committed to providing a monthly allowance of Rs 2000 for the elderly, widows, Divyang (PwD) individuals, and women heads of families under Gruha Lakhsmi Yojana. Congress promises 27% reservation for OBCs and SEBCs in education and government jobs before a caste census. They pledge to refund chit-fund deposits within six months of taking office. The manifesto also includes setting up commissions for minorities, SCs, and STs. Within 100 days, they aim to withdraw criminal cases against SCs and STs in land disputes and formulate PESA rules.

Conclusion:

In conclusion, the election manifestos of political parties in Odisha offer a glimpse into their vision and priorities for the state. From economic development to social welfare, each manifesto reflects a commitment to addressing the diverse needs of Odisha’s population. As voters prepare to cast their ballots, it is essential to carefully examine these manifestos and evaluate which party’s vision aligns most closely with their aspirations for the state. Ultimately, the election manifesto serves as a crucial document that outlines the roadmap for Odisha’s future, making it imperative for voters to make an informed decision based on these outlined promises and commitments.

Reference: