The Congress party on Friday unveiled its manifesto, titled ‘Nyay Patra’, for the upcoming 2024 Lok Sabha elections at the AICC headquarters in New Delhi. The manifesto was spearheaded by Congress party chief Mallikarjun Kharge and former party presidents Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi.
The ‘Nyay Patra’ focuses on five key areas of justice: ‘Youth Justice’, ‘Gender Justice’, ‘Farmers’ Justice’, ‘Workers’ Justice’ and ‘Equity Justice’. It also outlines the party’s electoral pledges for the forthcoming general elections.
Caste census and quota reform
One of the major talking points of the manifesto is the caste census, a politically charged issue that has been in the headlines since the Bihar government’s statewide survey was released in November. The Congress has pledged to conduct a nationwide census to identify and enumerate castes, sub-castes and their socio-economic conditions. The party also plans to amend the Constitution to raise the Supreme Court-imposed 50% cap on quota for marginalised groups, including scheduled castes, scheduled tribes and other backward classes.
MSP for cash crops
In response to the ongoing farmers’ protests, the Congress has promised to implement a minimum support price (MSP) for farmers growing cash crops. The party has committed to providing a permanent legal guarantee for MSP, a core demand of the protesting farmers, based on the formula recommended by the Swaminathan Commission.
Poverty eradication
The Congress has also pledged to eliminate poverty by improving the fortunes of 23 crore people over the next decade. Party leader P. Chidambaram criticised the BJP as a “government of the rich, by the rich and for the rich” and emphasised the Congress’s focus on the bottom 50% of the population.
National security and justice
On national security, the Congress stated that it “recognises that national security is not enhanced by chest-thumping or exaggerated claims, but by quiet attention to borders and resolute defence preparedness”. The party pledged to restore the status quo on the country’s borders with China and ensure areas where both armies patrolled in the past are again accessible to Indian soldiers.
Highlighting 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.
Core principles
The ‘Nyay Patra’ revolves around three fundamental pillars: ‘work’, ‘wealth’ and ‘welfare’. These principles encapsulate the Congress party’s vision for addressing socio-economic disparities and promoting inclusive growth.
Reservation, education and jobs
One of the key pledges is to provide a 10% reservation in jobs and educational institutions for Economically Weaker Sections (EWS) across all castes and communities, without discrimination.
The manifesto outlines 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.
Anticipated Impact
With the release of the ‘Nyay Patra’, the Congress aims to galvanise support by articulating its vision for equitable growth, social justice and economic empowerment. The manifesto promises resonate with the party’s agenda to address systemic inequalities and uplift marginalised communities across India.
Following the manifesto launch, Kharge and the Gandhis will embark on public rallies in Jaipur and Hyderabad, elaborating on the core tenets of the manifesto.
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