Tag: Manifesto

  • Congress unveils sops-heavy manifesto for MP polls; pledges caste survey, ‘pitches’ for IPL team 

    By PTI

    BHOPAL: The Congress on Tuesday vowed to conduct a caste survey and announced a bevy of sops, including 27 per cent reservation to the OBCs, a farm loan waiver, Rs 25 lakh medical insurance for all residents and even an IPL team for Madhya Pradesh if voted to power in the state as the party unveiled its manifesto for the November 17 assembly polls.

    Releasing the 106-page manifesto listing 59 promises and 101 “main guarantees” here, state Congress chief Kamal Nath announced to provide LPG cylinders at Rs 500 and to form an Indian Premier League (IPL) team of the state if the opposition party forms a government after the polls.

    कांग्रेस पार्टी ने विधानसभा चुनाव 2023 के लिए आज अपना वचन पत्र जारी किया है। यह वचन पत्र मध्य प्रदेश की जनता के लिए खुशहाली और समृद्धि का संदेश है। हम किसानों को गेहूं का ₹2600 प्रति क्विंटल और धान का ₹2500 प्रति क्विंटल मूल्य देंगे और इसे बढ़ाकर ₹3000 प्रति क्विंटल तक ले… pic.twitter.com/fSPrlCuSBV
    — Kamal Nath (@OfficeOfKNath) October 17, 2023
    In order to bring happiness in the state, the party will start the ‘Khushhali Mission’, Nath said, adding the party’s new slogan is “Congress Aayegi, Khushhali Layegi” (Congress will come and bring happiness).

    The Congress also promised to give an assistance of Rs 1,500 per month to women, farm loan waiver up to Rs 2 lakh, 100 units of free electricity and 200 units at half rate to consumers, free power for 5 HP motor for irrigation purpose to cultivators, waive pending electricity dues of farmers and taking back false cases related to electricity and farm agitations.

    “We will provide health insurance cover of Rs 25 lakh, which also has an accidental cover of Rs 10 lakh, for all the people,” Nath said while releasing the manifesto.

    Nath also promised 27 per cent reservation to the Other Backward Classes (OBCs) in government jobs and schemes.

    The former state chief minister also announced purchase of wheat at the minimum rate of Rs 2,600 per quintal and paddy at Rs 2,500 per quintal and ensured that the cultivators will get their input costs. He also promised to implement the Old Pension Scheme of 2005 and also announced Rs 2,000 pension for ‘bahu-divyangjans’ (those with multiple disabilities).

    The party will also start the ‘Padho-Padhao Yojna’ under which government school children from classes 1 to 8 will get Rs 500 per month, of classes 9 and 10 will get Rs 1,000 per month and those in classes 11 and 12 will get Rs 1,500 per month.

    The scheme was recently announced by Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra in the state. Nath said the Congress will make school education free in the state. The party will implement the Panchayats (Extension to Scheduled Areas) (PESA) Act in notified tribal areas of the state, he said.

    Focusing on tribal votes, the Congress promised to raise the labour charges of tendu leaf collectors to Rs 4,000 per standard bag. With an aim to consolidate its position among the SC community voters, the party promised to set up the Sant Shiromani Ravidas Kaushal Unnayan (Skill Enhancement) University in Sagar district of the state.

    Notably, the ruling BJP has promised to build a grand memorial of Sant Ravidas in Sagar, and its foundation stone was laid by Prime Minister Narendra Modi a few months back.

    मध्यप्रदेश कांग्रेस का युवाओं को वचन…“बढ़ाइये हाथ, फिर कमलनाथ” pic.twitter.com/0naV6Z3WaY
    — MP Congress (@INCMP) October 17, 2023
    With an aim to change the Congress’ image from being a pro-minority minority to one which takes care of all, Nath promised to constitute the Narmada Parikrama Parishad and start Narmada Parikrama Yatra.

    Notably, Congress Rajya Sabha member Digvijaya Singh had gone on the Narmada Parikrama Yatra before the 2018 state assembly polls.

    The party then came to power in the state after a gap of 15 years.

    With a focus on youth comprising a large chunk of the electorate, Nath promised to fill two lakh government posts in the state and also to provide an unemployment allowance, ranging from Rs 1,500 to Rs 3,000 per month for a period of two years, as financial assistance to them.

    The Congress also promised to raise the monthly honorarium to senior journalists in the state to Rs 25,000 per month (from the current Rs 20,000), develop ‘New City’ (colony) in metros for them and provide them health insurance free of cost.

    To encourage sports and sportspersons, the Congress promised to form the Madhya Pradesh Indian Premier League (IPL) team and also promised to give direct government jobs to the Olympic, World Cup, Asiad and Commonwealth Games medal winners.

    The manifesto also promised a slew of measures for all sections of the society including social justice, rural development, right for a home by promising to do registration of 600 sqft of land free of cost.

    Former chief minister Digvijaya Singh, manifesto committee chairman Rajendra Singh and other senior Congress leaders were present on the occasion.

    मध्यप्रदेश कांग्रेस का प्रदेश के प्रत्येक परिवार को वचन…“बढ़ाइये हाथ, फिर कमलनाथ” pic.twitter.com/Ix3NHj97oj
    — MP Congress (@INCMP) October 17, 2023
    The Congress said the manifesto is in the interest of all sections of society and termed it a “blueprint” for the development of Madhya Pradesh.

    The party’s national spokesperson, Charan Singh Sapra, said the Congress will win more than 150 seats (out of 230) in the elections.

    “Our manifesto is very comprehensive and is designed for the welfare of all sections, including villagers, women, youth, and workers. A blueprint for development of the state has been drawn,” he said in Indore.

    The Congress spokesperson alleged “corruption, misgovernance and deceit” marked the rule of BJP under Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan.

    “The then-Congress government led by Kamal Nath was toppled based on money in (March) 2020. The people of the state will not forgive the BJP and CM Chouhan for forming a government by stealing the mandate,” Sapra added. Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp

    BHOPAL: The Congress on Tuesday vowed to conduct a caste survey and announced a bevy of sops, including 27 per cent reservation to the OBCs, a farm loan waiver, Rs 25 lakh medical insurance for all residents and even an IPL team for Madhya Pradesh if voted to power in the state as the party unveiled its manifesto for the November 17 assembly polls.

    Releasing the 106-page manifesto listing 59 promises and 101 “main guarantees” here, state Congress chief Kamal Nath announced to provide LPG cylinders at Rs 500 and to form an Indian Premier League (IPL) team of the state if the opposition party forms a government after the polls.

    कांग्रेस पार्टी ने विधानसभा चुनाव 2023 के लिए आज अपना वचन पत्र जारी किया है। यह वचन पत्र मध्य प्रदेश की जनता के लिए खुशहाली और समृद्धि का संदेश है। हम किसानों को गेहूं का ₹2600 प्रति क्विंटल और धान का ₹2500 प्रति क्विंटल मूल्य देंगे और इसे बढ़ाकर ₹3000 प्रति क्विंटल तक ले… pic.twitter.com/fSPrlCuSBVgoogletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-8052921-2’); });
    — Kamal Nath (@OfficeOfKNath) October 17, 2023
    In order to bring happiness in the state, the party will start the ‘Khushhali Mission’, Nath said, adding the party’s new slogan is “Congress Aayegi, Khushhali Layegi” (Congress will come and bring happiness).

    The Congress also promised to give an assistance of Rs 1,500 per month to women, farm loan waiver up to Rs 2 lakh, 100 units of free electricity and 200 units at half rate to consumers, free power for 5 HP motor for irrigation purpose to cultivators, waive pending electricity dues of farmers and taking back false cases related to electricity and farm agitations.

    “We will provide health insurance cover of Rs 25 lakh, which also has an accidental cover of Rs 10 lakh, for all the people,” Nath said while releasing the manifesto.

    Nath also promised 27 per cent reservation to the Other Backward Classes (OBCs) in government jobs and schemes.

    The former state chief minister also announced purchase of wheat at the minimum rate of Rs 2,600 per quintal and paddy at Rs 2,500 per quintal and ensured that the cultivators will get their input costs. He also promised to implement the Old Pension Scheme of 2005 and also announced Rs 2,000 pension for ‘bahu-divyangjans’ (those with multiple disabilities).

    The party will also start the ‘Padho-Padhao Yojna’ under which government school children from classes 1 to 8 will get Rs 500 per month, of classes 9 and 10 will get Rs 1,000 per month and those in classes 11 and 12 will get Rs 1,500 per month.

    The scheme was recently announced by Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra in the state. Nath said the Congress will make school education free in the state. The party will implement the Panchayats (Extension to Scheduled Areas) (PESA) Act in notified tribal areas of the state, he said.

    Focusing on tribal votes, the Congress promised to raise the labour charges of tendu leaf collectors to Rs 4,000 per standard bag. With an aim to consolidate its position among the SC community voters, the party promised to set up the Sant Shiromani Ravidas Kaushal Unnayan (Skill Enhancement) University in Sagar district of the state.

    Notably, the ruling BJP has promised to build a grand memorial of Sant Ravidas in Sagar, and its foundation stone was laid by Prime Minister Narendra Modi a few months back.

    मध्यप्रदेश कांग्रेस का युवाओं को वचन…
    “बढ़ाइये हाथ, फिर कमलनाथ” pic.twitter.com/0naV6Z3WaY
    — MP Congress (@INCMP) October 17, 2023
    With an aim to change the Congress’ image from being a pro-minority minority to one which takes care of all, Nath promised to constitute the Narmada Parikrama Parishad and start Narmada Parikrama Yatra.

    Notably, Congress Rajya Sabha member Digvijaya Singh had gone on the Narmada Parikrama Yatra before the 2018 state assembly polls.

    The party then came to power in the state after a gap of 15 years.

    With a focus on youth comprising a large chunk of the electorate, Nath promised to fill two lakh government posts in the state and also to provide an unemployment allowance, ranging from Rs 1,500 to Rs 3,000 per month for a period of two years, as financial assistance to them.

    The Congress also promised to raise the monthly honorarium to senior journalists in the state to Rs 25,000 per month (from the current Rs 20,000), develop ‘New City’ (colony) in metros for them and provide them health insurance free of cost.

    To encourage sports and sportspersons, the Congress promised to form the Madhya Pradesh Indian Premier League (IPL) team and also promised to give direct government jobs to the Olympic, World Cup, Asiad and Commonwealth Games medal winners.

    The manifesto also promised a slew of measures for all sections of the society including social justice, rural development, right for a home by promising to do registration of 600 sqft of land free of cost.

    Former chief minister Digvijaya Singh, manifesto committee chairman Rajendra Singh and other senior Congress leaders were present on the occasion.

    मध्यप्रदेश कांग्रेस का प्रदेश के प्रत्येक परिवार को वचन…
    “बढ़ाइये हाथ, फिर कमलनाथ” pic.twitter.com/Ix3NHj97oj
    — MP Congress (@INCMP) October 17, 2023
    The Congress said the manifesto is in the interest of all sections of society and termed it a “blueprint” for the development of Madhya Pradesh.

    The party’s national spokesperson, Charan Singh Sapra, said the Congress will win more than 150 seats (out of 230) in the elections.

    “Our manifesto is very comprehensive and is designed for the welfare of all sections, including villagers, women, youth, and workers. A blueprint for development of the state has been drawn,” he said in Indore.

    The Congress spokesperson alleged “corruption, misgovernance and deceit” marked the rule of BJP under Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan.

    “The then-Congress government led by Kamal Nath was toppled based on money in (March) 2020. The people of the state will not forgive the BJP and CM Chouhan for forming a government by stealing the mandate,” Sapra added. Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp

  • Himachal Pradesh polls: Nadda announces Uniform civil code, quota for women in govt jobs 

    By PTI

    SHIMLA: BJP president JP Nadda on Sunday promised Uniform Civil Code (UCC) and 33 per cent reservation for women in government jobs in Himachal Pradesh while releasing the party’s manifesto for the state Assembly polls.

    With less than a week left for assembly polls in his home state, Nadda announced various soaps, including 8 lakh jobs, scooters for girls pursuing higher education and five new medical colleges.

    Releasing the BJP’s ‘Sankalp Patra’, Nadda promised implementation of UCC in Himachal Pradesh if the party is voted to power and said a committee will be formed for it.

    At the same time, he said the BJP government will also conduct survey of Waqf properties in the state to check their illegal use.

    Focussing on women voters, Nadda released the party’s separate manifesto for them announcing 33 per cent reservation in government jobs. He also announced cycles for girl students in classes 6 to 12.

    Replying to a question, Nadda criticised the Congress manifesto — released on Saturday — saying it lacks both vision and weight.

    The BJP had formed a committee to take suggestions from the general public to draft the manifesto. The BJP is eyeing to change the trend of alternate governments in Himachal Pradesh. Elections for the 68-member Himachal Pradesh Assembly will be held on November 12.

    SHIMLA: BJP president JP Nadda on Sunday promised Uniform Civil Code (UCC) and 33 per cent reservation for women in government jobs in Himachal Pradesh while releasing the party’s manifesto for the state Assembly polls.

    With less than a week left for assembly polls in his home state, Nadda announced various soaps, including 8 lakh jobs, scooters for girls pursuing higher education and five new medical colleges.

    Releasing the BJP’s ‘Sankalp Patra’, Nadda promised implementation of UCC in Himachal Pradesh if the party is voted to power and said a committee will be formed for it.

    At the same time, he said the BJP government will also conduct survey of Waqf properties in the state to check their illegal use.

    Focussing on women voters, Nadda released the party’s separate manifesto for them announcing 33 per cent reservation in government jobs. He also announced cycles for girl students in classes 6 to 12.

    Replying to a question, Nadda criticised the Congress manifesto — released on Saturday — saying it lacks both vision and weight.

    The BJP had formed a committee to take suggestions from the general public to draft the manifesto. The BJP is eyeing to change the trend of alternate governments in Himachal Pradesh. Elections for the 68-member Himachal Pradesh Assembly will be held on November 12.

  • Uttarakhand polls: Congress manifesto full of false promises, says BJP

    By PTI

    DEHRADUN: The Uttarakhand BJP on Wednesday said the Congress manifesto released by Priyanka Gandhi Vadra here for the assembly polls in the state is full of false promises.

    Describing the manifesto as a “pack of lies”, Uttarakhand BJP president Madan Kaushik said the Congress has done exactly the opposite of what it has promised in the document while distributing tickets in the state for the elections.

    Despite promising to give 40 per cent of tickets to women, the party cancelled the candidatures of some women it had fielded, including Dalit candidate Barkha Rani and Sandhya Dalakoti from Lalkuan, Kaushik alleged.

    “Priyanka Gandhi should first explain this anomaly,” he added.

    Kaushik said Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel was here recently to announce that LPG prices will not be allowed to cross Rs 500 if the Congress was elected to power.

    “He should first explain why LPG cylinders are selling for Rs 1,000 in his state,” the BJP leader said.

    Former Rajasthan deputy chief minister Sachin Pilot comes here and talks about unemployment, but the unemployment rate in his state is higher than Uttarakhand, Kaushik added.

    In Rajasthan, the rate of unemployment is 20.3 per cent, while it is 5.6 per cent in Uttarakhand, the BJP leader said.

  • UP polls: Mayawati kicks off BSP campaign from Agra, says BJP, SP and Cong ‘anti-Dalit’

    By PTI

    AGRA: BSP chief Mayawati on Wednesday hit out at BJP, SP and Congress for not doing enough for Dalits and asserted that her party has a track record of working for all sections of society as she launched her party’s campaign for the Uttar Pradesh Assembly polls.

    Terming the rival parties “anti-Dalit”, she said though they make various promises in their manifestos ahead of polls, they forget about them after coming to power.

    Mayawati, who has been conspicuous by her absence from the high-octane campaigning in the state, also said she has been living in Lucknow for a year and working to rebuild the BSP.

    She said some “casteist media groups” are trying to demoralise BSP supporters by saying that their party leaders are missing on the ground.

    The BSP is contesting all 403 assembly seats in Uttar Pradesh. The party has declared names of candidates for the majority of the seats. Targeting the ruling BJP, Mayawati said the party is pursuing the “narrow-minded agendas” of the RSS.

    “Their (BJP) policies are focused on promoting casteist, capitalist, and narrow-minded agendas of the RSS. This has resulted in an environment of religious tension and hate in the state,” she said.

    “People from Dalit and backward communities have not benefitted from the BJP government’s policies, including reservation in government jobs, because it has involved the private sector in most of its projects,” she added.

    “The upper caste also feels neglected under the BJP. The government’s policies have led to price rise and an increased number of people living in poverty. “It appears that the fuel prices will be increased once the elections are over. Youngsters from the state are forced to migrate due to the lack of employment opportunities,” Mayawati said.

    ALSO READ: UP elections: Mayawati launches attack on SP, Congress and BJP in first poll rally in Agra

    The BSP chief claimed the migrants who returned to the state during Covid pandemic were forced to go back due to the lack of employment opportunities in the state. She said the common people in Uttar Pradesh have only suffered under the rule of BJP, Congress, and Samajwadi Party.

    “The BSP, which has worked for the upliftment of people from all sections of society, is the only alternative for good governance,” she added. Mayawati also accused the SP of adopting a “step-motherly” approach towards Dalits and most backward sections of society.

    “After coming to power (in 2012), the SP changed names of districts we had christened after Dalit icons,” she said. “When a bill on reservation in promotion for Dalit officers was brought in Parliament, the SP tore it and did not allow it to get approved,” she claimed.

    The BSP chief said criminals and the mafia flourished under the SP government. The Muzaffarnagar riots also took place during the SP’s tenure.

    Mayawati attacked the Congress over its “hostile” attitude towards Dalits, alleging that its government had denied the Bharat Ratna to B R Ambedkar, who is considered the architect of the Indian Constitution, and to Dalit icon Kanshi Ram.

    ALSO READ: BJP, Samajwadi Party giving casteist colour to Uttar Pradesh Assembly polls: BSP chief Mayawati

    “They (Congress) also did not implement the Mandal Commission report on reservation in government jobs. After a prolonged struggle, the BSP got it implemented when the V P Singh government was in power,” she said.

    Mayawati also targeted the media for building the narrative that BSP leaders were absent on the ground.

     “Some casteist media groups have tried to demoralise our supporters by saying that BSP leaders are missing and not moving anywhere.  I have been living in Lucknow for the last year and have worked to build the party again in Uttar Pradesh. I want to tell the media that I have been busy with election work all this time and the BSP will return with a majority in Uttar Pradesh,” she said.

    Rival parties had on several occasions ruled the BSP “out of the race”. However, Mayawati hit back at them saying they would be proved wrong as had happened in 2007.

    The BSP came to power with a majority in Uttar Pradesh in 2007, proving pre-poll predictions wrong. Mayawati became the chief minister for the fourth time that year.