New Delhi, April 7 (IANS) The Congress and BJP manifestos for the 2014 general elections have talked about revival of economy, job creation and expansion of welfare initiatives but appear to differ in scope, thrust, range and specifics of their promises.
Soon after the Bharatiya Janata Party released its poll manifesto Monday, the Congress accused the party of "blind copying."
The BJP manifesto "Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat (One India, Great India)" has a prominent photograph of the party's prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi along with those of several other senior party leaders.
The Congress manifesto "Your voice, our pledge", which was released March 26, has a prominent photograph of party vice-president Rahul Gandhi along with those of party president Sonia Gandhi and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.
While the BJP manifesto appeared to score low on specifics, it covered several issues in greater detail over the Congress document and expanded on themes such as water security, external security and nuclear programme.
The BJP manifesto laid top-most emphasis on combating price rise, employment, corruption and "decision paralysis" -- issues it feels have traction with the youth and the aspiring classes.
The Congress manifesto started with a 15-point agenda for economic and socio-economic and political transformation.
The BJP manifesto talks about setting up a Price Stabilisation Fund to check price rise. The party accused the Congress of policy paralysis and said it will revisit the policy framework for domestic and foreign investments, undertake banking reforms, strictly implement measures for fiscal discipline and encourage savings.
The Congress said it will implement a 100-day plan for growth, unveil a new jobs agenda, restore economic growth to above 8 percent in three years, ensure 10 percent growth rate in manufacturing, and investment of $1 trillion over the next years in infrastructure.
The BJP promised to set up an AIIMS-like institution in every state and initiate 'National Health Assurance Mission' to provide universal health care which is accessible and affordable. The Congress has talked about Right to Health.
The BJP said it will set up a task force to bring back black money stashed abroad. The Congress said it will appoint a “special envoy” for the purpose.
The BJP talked about meeting aspirations of "neo-middle class" -- those who had risen from the category of poor but are yet to stabilise in the middle class.
The BJP also promised to roll out a low-cost housing programme to give every family a "pucca house" in the next eight years. The Congress said it will continue to work towards affordable and quality housing for all sections. It has also talked about Right to Housing for the poor.
The BJP also said it will explore all possibilities within the framework of the Constitution for construction of Ram Mandir in Ayodhya. It said the party will discuss Article 370 with all stakeholders but remains committed to its abrogation. The issues do not find mention in the Congress manifesto.
Both Congress and BJP have laid emphasis on decentralisation.
While the BJP manifesto referred to many issues in general terms without timelines, the Congess manifesto had specific promises, many of them on issues raised by party vice president Rahul Gandhi.
Congress leaders accused the BJP of copying ideas from its manifesto on a range of issues, including skill development, welfare of the emerging middle class, pension and housing.
Union Minister Jairam Ramesh termed the BJP as "a party of Kumbhkarnas" and said its manifesto was a hastily prepared document about initiatives already in place.
"Clearly no one in BJP bothered to do their homework," he remarked.
Congress spokesperson Abhishek Manu Singhvi said it was a case of "blind copying".
Referring to the BJP's reference to neo-middle class, he said Rahul Gandhi had been talking for almost a year of 70 crore (700 million) people who were above poverty line but needed to be brought into the middle class fold over the next five years.
Bigger fine for littering to help railways earn more: Official
New Delhi, March 19 (IANS) The increased fine on people seen littering or throwing waste on platforms and tracks would help Indian Railways earn more, besides instilling fear in the minds of the
Why are ships jammed to enter America?
Global supply chains are facing a lot of difficulties. Cargo ships, also known as containers or cargo ships, are lined up on the shores of major ports in California."We are facing an unprecedented
Take the vaccine after 6 months of recovering from corona, pregnant women can also take the dose; The panel has many important suggestions
Important information was given on Thursday about the Corona vaccine. Under this, Covid-19 infected were given a corona vaccine 6 months after their recovery. It was also told that the difference
PMI Index: PMI was at the peak of eight months in July due to new orders, the effect of inflation reduced
The manufacturing sector activities in the country have seen a significant increase in July. The PMI index has reached the highest level in the last eight months. A weekly survey has revealed that
Construction of houses stopped due to increase in inflation: Inflation increased in the last 5 months, and construction of 4.8 lakh houses stuck in 7 big cities
4.48 lakh crore in 7 big cities of the country. The construction of houses worth about 4.8 lakh crores is currently or is stuck or it is getting delayed. By the end of May 2022, 4,79,940 houses worth
Latest 5G Smartphones: If you are also looking for 5G smartphone in the budget of 15 thousand rupees, then these are the latest options
Nowadays, most smartphone companies are launching only phones equipped with 5G technology. In such a situation, if you are also planning to get a new 5G smartphone and are not able to decide which one
Police directed to file FIR against Shah Rukh Khan
Mumbai, March 20 (IANS) The Maharashtra State Commission for Child Rights (MSCCR) has asked police to file an FIR against Bollywood actor Shah Rukh Khan for using foul language in the presence of
Air India: Shock to Air India in the case of 988 crore refund, now also fined 11 crore
The US government has fined Air India $1.4 million or about Rs 11.38 crore, for the delay in refunding money to affected passengers due to the cancellation or rescheduling of flights during the
Vande Bharat: Stones pelted on Vande Bharat in Chhattisgarh, window glass is broken, train started four days ago
According to information, someone pelted stones when the train reached between Durg and Bhilai stations under the Raipur division of South East Central Railway (SECR) on Wednesday evening. The stone
SC gives a jolt to the former principal of RG Kar College Sandeep Ghosh, The court says will not make any comment; now hearing will be held on this day
The Supreme Court has dismissed the petition of the former principal of Kolkata's RG Kar Hospital, Sandeep Ghosh, challenging the order of the Calcutta High Court. Ghosh had challenged the High
