Lok Sabha elections 2024: Article 370, CAA are missing in Congress manifesto

The Congress has mentioned a diverse range of issues in its manifesto, covering topics such as Rafale, Pegasus surveillance, demonetization, and electoral bonds. Through this manifesto, the party has meticulously pointed out areas where it believes the Narendra Modi government has faltered. However, notably, there is a notably absence of references to controversial subjects like the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) and Article 370, which the party had previously vehemently opposed.

However, the Congress has vocally opposed the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), both within and outside Parliament, arguing that the ruling BJP’s approach of considering religion as a criterion for granting citizenship contradicts existing laws. They have expressed concerns that the law unfairly targets Muslims.

Furthermore, the agreement did not address Article 370, which granted special status to Jammu and Kashmir until its revocation. Despite this, the Congress has committed to amending the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution to incorporate the tribal areas of Ladakh and restoring full statehood to Jammu and Kashmir.

Released by Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, along with former Presidents Rahul Gandhi and Sonia Gandhi, alongside General Secretary (Organisation) K C Venugopal and drafting committee head P Chidambaram on April 5, the manifesto serves as a critique of the ten-year tenure of the Narendra Modi government, outlining the changes Congress aims to implement.

Keeping in center around ‘Paanch Nyays’ or five pillars of justice, as announced during Rahul’s Bharat Jodo Yatra, the manifesto prioritized issues such as ‘Yuva Nyay’, ‘Naari Nyay’, ‘Kisaan Nyay’, ‘Shramik Nyay’, and ‘Hissedari Nyay’.

The party has already introduced ‘Kisan Nyay’, guaranteeing legal support for minimum support price (MSP), ‘Hissedari Nyay’ ensuring a share in governance, ‘Yuva Nyay’ providing mandatory apprenticeship and income for youth, ‘Nari Nyay’ for women, and ‘Shramik Nyay’ for workers.

Additionally, the Congress pledges the repeal of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002, in the manifesto. Interestingly, while the scope of PMLA was broadened during the Congress-led UPA government, it was further reinforced by the BJP government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi through amendments in 2015 and 2019.

Furthermore, the manifesto promised regarding reservation benefits for Other Backward Categories (OBCs) in private higher educational institutions and private universities, along with advocating for a national caste census to facilitate reservation for OBCs based on population.

The party also promised the ‘right to employment’ for youths and propose stringent punishment for those involved in paper leaks during examinations.

Moreover, the Congress’ demand for complete counting of Voter Verified Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) paper slips has also been included in the manifesto.

The manifesto panel, chaired by former Union Finance Minister P Chidambaram, submitted its draft to party President Kharge in March this year. Other prominent members of the panel have been included like former Deputy Chief Minister of Chhattisgarh TS Singh Deo, Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah, Jairam Ramesh, Shashi Tharoor, and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra.

Voting for the Lok Sabha Elections 2024 is scheduled to commence on April 19, with elections for 543 Lok Sabha seats conducted in seven phases. The results will be announced on June 4.