On Tuesday, the senior leadership of the Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee held a press conference at the Punjab Congress Bhawan in Chandigarh to unveil the Lok Sabha 2024 election manifesto of the Indian National Congress.
Addressing the media, PPCC Chief, Amarinder Singh Raja Warring, remarked, “As a resident and farmer of Punjab, I extend my gratitude to the Congress High Command and the manifesto team for addressing crucial issues pertinent to our state. The proposed changes and assurances outlined in the manifesto will be diligently executed upon our victory. It is noteworthy that many prevailing schemes and policies, fundamental to our nation, were initiated during Congress governance. We aim to build upon these foundations, rectifying a decade of distress under the Narendra Modi-led BJP government.”
Continuing his discourse, Warring emphasized, “The Congress, historically committed to national development, has introduced pivotal initiatives such as MGNREGA, ensuring a minimum of 100 days of employment, and the Right to Information Act, instrumental in upholding democratic principles. Despite attempts to politicize welfare programs such as the Right to Food by PM Modi by adding his own image to all food supplies, our commitment to serving the people remains steadfast. This legacy of genuine assistance will persist under Congress leadership post the 4th of June.”
Adding to the discussion, Punjab Congress In-charge, Devendra Yadav, said, “This manifesto stems from extensive research, spearheaded by Shri Rahul Gandhi Ji, who, alongside senior party members, traversed the nation over the past year to grasp the pulse of the people. From Kanyakumari to Kashmir and beyond, Rahul Gandhi has engaged with citizens, synthesizing their concerns into this comprehensive document. Crafted through meticulous deliberation with experts, this manifesto embodies the collective voice of our nation. Punjab’s interests have been meticulously considered, ensuring its representation and welfare.”
LOP Partap Singh Bajwa underscored, “Over the past decade, certain individuals have disproportionately benefited during this BJP rule. Through this manifesto, we aim to amplify the grievances of the populace and advocate for equitable representation. Following a decade of ruin under the BJP government, justice will finally prevail via our guarantees. We will also urge the AICC to integrate the Old Pension Scheme into the manifesto, a sentiment echoed by numerous stakeholders and already implemented in Congress-governed states.”
Highlighting several crucial guarantees outlined in the manifesto, Raja Warring asserted, “The manifesto comprehensively addresses key national concerns. For farmers, pivotal measures such as legally assured MSP, exemption from GST on farming activities, establishment of a commission to alleviate farmer debt, and swift compensation disbursal within a 30-day timeframe are emphasized. Additionally, addressing the pressing issue of unemployment, our manifesto pledges initial job opportunities and internships offering a stipend of Rs 1 lakh to students.
Furthermore, we commit to providing 30 lakh government jobs for the youth and ensuring 50% reservation for women, the cornerstone of our society, in government employment. Moreover, we propose an annual stipend of Rs 1 lakh for women from marginalized backgrounds. With these concerted efforts, the Congress party aims to foster the holistic growth and development of our nation.”
Concluding the session, Raja Warring reiterated, “Punjab occupies a pivotal position in our manifesto, with legal guarantees for Minimum Support Price (MSP), a legacy initiated by the Congress, to safeguard farmers’ interests nationwide. While the manifesto addresses the nation’s collective concerns, its significance for Punjab cannot be overstated. It symbolizes the Congress’s commitment to rectify the misgovernance of the past decade by the BJP and uphold Punjab’s interests. We will also be revealing our list of candidates all at once in the coming days. I am certain that the people of Punjab will vote for the Congress to show Narendra Modi and his government the door.”
