Launching the 2019 Lok Sabha polls manifesto on Tuesday, Congress President Rahul Gandhi announced a separate budget for the farmers. He said that Congress manifesto was not made in a closed room and includes the wishes of the people. Senior leaders like former prime minister Manmohan Singh, P Chidambaram, party supremo Sonia Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra were present at the launch event.
Calling the newly launched manifesto a sum up of Dignity and Self-respect, Manmohan Singh said, “Congress manifesto is called the “Jan Aawaz Ghoshna Patra’. This manifesto spells out what we would plan to do how to get rid of poverty. In 10 years of UPA 140 Million people were out of poverty.”
Congress spokesperson Randeep Surjewala says, “Today is a historic day. Today’s Congress manifesto will help to make a strong and developed India.”
“Ruling party is trying to hijack the narrative with hyper-nationalism but the issues are joblessness, mounting farm debt, women’s security. He says ‘wealth and welfare’ is the bond between many ideas in the manifesto,” P Chidambaram exclaimed during the launch event.
“The real issues are unemployment, 4.70 crore jobs were lost under the Modi-led government. Farm distress is the second biggest issue. The third is the security of women and their children’s security and of their homes,” he further added.
Elaborating the party manifesto further, Congress president asserted that it focuses on five main themes. The NYAY scheme will give money to the pockets of the poor and push the economy to run which was stalled due to demonetisation. Stating that there are 22 lakh vacant posts, Rahul Gandhi targeted PM Modi for failing in keeping his promise of providing 2 crore jobs to the Indian youth. He also promised to fill the vacant posts by 2020.
The themes of the manifesto include:
Entrepreneurs won’t need any permission for starting a business in 3 years. 150 days of work guaranteed under NREGA
A separate budget for farmers. Loan default can’t be treated as a criminal offence but a civil offence
6 per cent of GDP to be spent on education; no to private insurance companies and public health to be strengthened
National security and internal security
Describing the manifesto as the “voice of people”, Rahul Gandhi further accused the Prime Minister for dividing the nation and spreading hatred.
