With elections around the corner, Congress released a 48-page manifesto on Friday dubbed 'Justice Paper.' It brims with job promises, farmers' debt relief, roles filled, women's benefits, and guaranteed minimum support prices, along with a new chapter—Constitutional Justice—based on five rights: equity, peasants, women, labor, and youth justice.
In this 'guarantee season,' Congress vows more than 300 promises, including reforms spanning Parliament, Election Commission, investigative agencies, judiciary, media, and the very fabric of the electoral democracy.
1. Defamation decriminalized. This comes after Rahul Gandhi's parliamentary suspension over a defamation sentence.
2. An end to arbitrary internet suspension, citing disruptions during various movements.
3. Maintaining the right to peacefully assemble, previously hampered during protests.
4. No interference in food choices, clothing, love, or marriages, pointing at controversial laws.
Remember the 17th Lok Sabha with historically few sessions? Suspensions were frequent—now Congress promises 100 legislative days per year, with weekly opposition-chosen topics for debate, aiming for a pivot from the current political strife.
While BJP pushes for 'One Country, One Election,' Congress counters in its manifesto. They plan to reverse the NITI Aayog, bring back the Planning Commission, and investigate charges against leaders coerced to join the BJP by federal agencies.
Congress takes a firm stance against 'Operation Lotus'—they vow to amend the constitution and immediately disqualify any member who switches parties. They're tackling EVM doubts too; while keeping them for voting, they call for VVPAT slip verification with EVM tallies.
Direct jabs are taken at PM Modi, promising probes into election bonds, asset sales, PM CARES, defense deals, and the 'Pegasus' affair, raising the question whether the manifesto can truly secure an electoral victory or merely remains an electoral tradition with promises that often exceed partisan realities.
