New Delhi: Perhaps for the last time Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh, Congress President Sonia Gandhi and Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi addressed a joint press conference from the Congress headquarters on Akbar Road. It is a well known fact that even if the Congress led UPA returns to power, Manmohan Singh will not be the Prime Minister. The PM himself has declared that he will not seek a third term. Even if the UPA loses this election, the trio won't be sitting together. It's all over for Manmohan Singh and because of that it was a rare occasion.
The brain behind the Congress manifesto Rahul Gandhi took on the main opposition BJP, attacked Narendra Modi and predicted that the BJP will lose the election. Talking about the manifesto, he said, "It is a public manifesto based on the views and opinions gathered from the people from all walks of life across India. It was not prepared in a room behind closed doors. We want to keep both business community and common people together. Have taken and considered the views and demands of coolies at New Delhi Railway station, fishermen of Mumbai, tribals, middle class, educated and all. 90 per cent of the promises we made in 2009 have been delivered."
The Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh also defended his 10 year long rule. He said, "Congress model is a real model. It has long term solutions. Congress record is visible to everyone who cares to look at it."
He said that between 1999-2004, the BJP-led NDA government delivered just 6 per cent growth rate, the UPA-1 delivered 8.4 per cent record growth rate and the UPA-2 delivered 7.3 per cent growth rate. He hit back at Narendra Modi saying that we delivered more growth than our opponents.
Sonia Gandhi said, "We have done some great work. Harmony is must, not divisive politics. We will fight for the unity of India. This election for the Congress is importnant to keep constitutional fabric of the country intact. We will fight for unity. We will fight for the ideology which doesn't divide."
Talking about the manifesto she said, "For our opponents, manifesto is a vote getting weapon. For us it is a holy document."
The manifesto has Rahul Gandhi touch. Most of his favourite ideas have been incorporated. He also took the centre stage at the manifesto release function. He once again stressed on making the country an inclusive society.
- The manifesto proves that the Congress is caught between its core ideology and the daily demands of real politics. Rahul Gandhi promised a huge investment in the infrastructure and job creation. He said that the party will also keep the interests of common people in mind before giving impetus to economy.
- Reservation for SC/ST and OBCs in private sector has been a very contentious issue and the party has promised it in the manifesto. It is likely to attract widespread criticism from the corporate sector. But, the BJP can't oppose it openly as it can damage its vote base.
- The manifesto talks about anti-corruption bills. But, the massive corruption charges the government is facing make it look like a 'one more poll promise' without any real commitment.
- Right to health, right to pension, right to social security etc have always been parts of its core ideology.
Some important poll promises:
Right to health
8 per cent growth rate
Right to social security
Right to pension
Special monitoring system for timely disposal of all cases involving elections
Introducing transparency in financing of political activities
Will continue its efforts to enact women's reservation bill
Congress to ensure enactment of remaining anti corruption bills as priority
Reservation in education and employment for SC/ST/OBCs
Women empowerment
Challenges before Congress:
The anti-incumbency factor
Rahul Gandhi is new face, but untested
Absence of Sonia Gandhi being felt in the campaign
Senior leaders unwilling to contest
Leaders are leaving the party
Rahul Gandhi claims that his party has delivered 90 per cent of the promises, it made to the people in 2009. Here s comparison between Promise and Reality
2009 poll manifesto:
Promise
Maintain high growth with fiscal prudence, low inflation
Reality
GDP slumped to 6.7 per cent & inflation up to 7.1 per cent
Promise
Introduce goods and service tax (GST) by Apr 1, 2010
Reality
GST not yet implemented, no consensus
Promise
Introduce teacher training, improve physical environment in schools
Reality
Teacher absenteeism, lack of education, poor infrastructure in schools
Promise
IITs, IIMs, ISERs to focus on excellence
Reality
Institutes set up but infrastructure hiccups affect excellence
Promise
Implement nationwide skill development programme, train 1.5 crore youth/year
Reality
50 lakh youth trained in 2013
Defence and internal security
Promise: Ensure highest level of defence preparedness and take steps for welfare of defence forces.
Reality: But the UPA-2 could not conclude a deal to equip the air force with 126 modern combat jet.
Promise: Accelerate the process of police reforms.
Reality: Home ministry did not pursue police reform with the states and UTs where the ministry has the last words. There have been some improvements in central funding for modernisation of police forces but not enough to make a visible difference on the ground.
Minority welfare
Promise: Special package for 90 minority-concentration districts.
Reality: Implemented multi-sectoral development to improve social and development infrastructure but has some delivery problems.
Promise: Reservation in jobs and education.
Reality: Government issued notification to implement reservation for minorities but it was struck down by the court.
Promise: Education and scholarship
Reality: 29 million scholarships have been given till 2012-13 from pre-matric to doctorate. Funds were also allocated for modern education in madarsas.
Congress report card
2009 Manifesto vs record
Economy
Promise: To maintain path of high growth with fiscal prudence and low inflation.
Reality: The average GDP growth during UPA-2 (2009-10 to 2013-14) has slumped to 6.7 per cent from annual average growth of 8.4 per cent clocked during the previous five years (2004-05).
Wholesale price inflation has grown at annual average of 7.1 per cent during UPA's second term.
Promise: To introduce goods and service tax by Apr 1, 2010
Reality: The rollout of GST aimed at stitching together a common market remains stuck because of lack of consensus among states, The government had introduced in Parliament a constitution( amendment) bill for GST's rollout in March 2011, but the states and the centre are yet to issues like compensation to states for potential revenue loss.
Education skills
Promise: Teacher training and improving physical environment in schools
Reality: Schools continue to grapple with teacher absenteeism and poor infrastructure. Just 3 per cent of students having a professional degree cleared a national test for appointment of teachers in schools. Half of schools don't have toilets for girls and lack quality education facilities even through enrollment is about 99 per cent.
Promise: New IITs, IIMs, ISERs and colleges to focus on excellence.
Reality: Institutes set up but infrastructure hiccups affect excellence.
Promise: To implement nationwide skill development programme.
Reality:Target was to train 15 million youth every year but only 5 million were trained in 2013. Separate skill missions for rural and urban areas launched.
Defence and internal security
Promise: Ensure highest level of defence preparedness and take steps for welfare of defence forces.
Reality: some major acquisitions came through. But the UPA-2 could not conclude a deal to equip the air force with 126 modern combat jet. It did, however, deliver on one-rank, one-pension for retired personnel.
Promise: Accelerate the process of police reforms.
Reality: Home ministry did not pursue police reform with the states and UTs where the ministry has the last words. There have been some improvements in central funding for modernisation of police forces but not enough to make a visible difference on the ground.
Minority welfare
Promise: Special package for 90 minority-concentration districts.
Reality: Implemented multi-sectoral development to improve social and development infrastructure but has some delivery problems.
Promise: Reservation in jobs and education.
Reality: Government issued notification to implement reservation for minorities but it was struck down by the court.
Promise: Education and scholarship
Reality: 29 million scholarships have been given till 2012-13 from pre-matric to doctorate. Funds were also allocated for modern education in madarsas.
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Congress Manifesto 2014 by Network18
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