LS Polls: Congress To Unveil Manifesto On April 5, Slams BJP For 'Last-Minute' Setup

The Congress has announced that it will release its manifesto on April 5 and criticised the BJP for forming a manifesto committee at the "last minute".

File Photo Of Congress General Secretary Jairam Ramesh

Source : PTI Images

Lok Sabha Election 2024: The Congress party announced its plan to release its manifesto on April 5, while taking a dig at the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)  for assembling its manifesto committee at what it termed the "eleventh hour". On Saturday, the BJP unveiled a 27-member committee, comprising several Union ministers and chief ministers, with Defence Minister Rajnath Singh at the helm to craft its manifesto for the upcoming Lok Sabha polls. 

At a press conference yesterday, Jairam Ramesh, Congress general secretary said that the party had already introduced its 'Paanch Nyay' (Five Resolutions), 'Pachees Guarantees' (Twenty-Five Guarantees) on March 16. Additionally, the party's 'Ghar Ghar Guarantee' (Guarantee for Every Home) campaign, aimed at distributing eight crore guarantee cards nationwide, is set to kick off on April 3.

Ramesh said, "The BJP's manifesto, begun at this last moment, is merely an exercise in ticking boxes. It reflects the contempt with which the party sees the public".

Ramesh emphasised that the Congress manifesto was the product of extensive nationwide consultations and had incorporated thousands of suggestions received through email and the party's 'Awaaz Bharat Ki' website.

He reiterated that the Congress manifesto was a reflection of the people's voices and aspirations.

"The BJP may try to upset the Congress by sending Income Tax claim notices, but the Congress is not afraid or slowing down. We are prepared, and we will triumph!" Ramesh asserted.

His remarks came after the BJP formed a manifesto committee led by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and Union Minister Piyush Goyal. It includes several Union ministers, chief ministers of key states, and experienced political figures. Click here to read more. 

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Notably, Rajnath Singh, a former party president, leads the BJP's manifesto committee, a role he also fulfilled during the 2019 polls. Many members from the previous panel have been retained in the current setup.

Union ministers Dharmendra Pradhan, Ashwini Vaishnaw, Bhupender Yadav, Kiren Rijiju, Arjun Munda, Arjun Ram Meghwal, Smriti Irani, and Rajeev Chandrasekhar are among the committee's members.

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