The Congress released its crowd-sourced manifesto, entitled ‘India’s New Tryst With Destiny’ for the 2019 Lok Sabha elections on Tuesday, 2 April.
Speaking to BloombergQuint, senior journalist Arati Jerath said that with the release, Congress President Rahul Gandhi has made himself accountable for delivery by attacking the Modi government on non-deliverance of promises.
Congress spokesperson Sanjay Jha reiterated the party’s stand saying that the BJP manifesto for the 2014 election was not taken seriously by the Modi government.
BJP spokesperson Gopal Agarwal however said that the manifesto lacks roadmap. “ It’s all rhetoric and no substance. They are saying they will maintain fiscal prudence but every scheme they have promised pushes up the spending.”
He also criticised the Congress for promising to repeal sedition law and review AFSPA, saying that the manifesto has been made by ‘Tukde Tukde Gang’.
Political commentator Amitabh Tiwary said that the Congress having won the three state elections in Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh on back of poll promises, have realised that short, crisp messages work. He also said that the Congress’ manifesto will make the election narrative come back on development.
Jerath also supported Tiwary’s stand. “After Pulwama, BJP is pushing the nationalism pitch, which the COngress has changed by pitching the welfare state,” she said.
(At The Quint, we question everything. Play an active role in shaping our journalism by becoming a member today.)