Decoding Congress' 2019 And 2024 Manifestos: What's New?

The Congress party announced its manifesto for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections on Friday at the All India Congress Committee (AICC) headquarters in Delhi. Titled 'Nyay Patra', the manifesto emphasizes 'Paanch Nyay' or five pillars of justice, comprising 'Yuva Nyay', 'Naari Nyay', 'Kisaan Nyay', 'Shramik Nyay', and 'Hissedari Nyay'. It pledges to conduct a nationwide Socio-Economic and Caste Census to assess caste and sub-caste demographics along with their socio-economic status. Additionally, the party vows to pursue a constitutional amendment to lift the 50 per cent cap on reservations for SC, ST, and OBC communities.

Here's a comparison of the promises made in 2019 and the new commitments for 2024:

Job Employment:

In its 2024 manifesto, the Congress promises to fill nearly 3 million vacancies in various sectors of the central government, including teaching and non-teaching posts in central educational institutions, medical staff positions, and vacancies in the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF). It also guarantees a new Right to Apprenticeship Act, offering a one-year apprenticeship with private or public sector companies to diploma holders or college graduates below 25 years, with an annual earning of Rs 1 lakh.

In contrast, the 2019 manifesto pledged to prioritise jobs in the public and private sectors, aiming to fill 3.4 million jobs in the public sector by March 2020, persuade state governments to fill 2 million vacancies, and create 1 million new Seva Mitra positions in every gram panchayat and urban local body.

Farmers and MSP:

The 2019 manifesto promised to transition farmers from "Karz Maafi" (loan waiver) to "Karz Mukti" (loan-free) and present a separate "Kisan Budget" each year. It also proposed establishing a permanent National Commission on Agricultural Development and Planning.

In 2024, the Congress promises a legal guarantee for the Minimum Support Prices (MSP) recommended by the Swaminathan Commission, with the Crop Insurance being farmer-specific and settling all claims within 30 days.

Universal Healthcare:

Both manifestos pledge free universal healthcare, with the 2019 document aiming to double healthcare expenditure to 3% of GDP by 2023-24. The 2024 manifesto promises a gradual increase in the health budget allocation to achieve 4% of total expenditure by 2028-29.

Increasing Defence Expenditure:

Both manifestos commit to increasing defence spending, with the 2024 version also promising to scrap the Agnipath Scheme and return to normal recruitment processes for the Armed Forces.

Women Empowerment:

While the 2019 manifesto promised to legislate the Women's Reservation Bill, which has since been passed, the 2024 manifesto promises to reserve 50% of central government jobs for women starting in 2025.

Restoration of Statehood to Jammu & Kashmir:

The 2024 manifesto promises to immediately restore full statehood to Jammu and Kashmir and amend the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution to include the tribal areas of Ladakh, differing from the previous proposal to reduce the presence of Indian Army and CAPFs in the Kashmir valley.