Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge launched a scathing attack on the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) over its recently unveiled election manifesto, accusing the ruling party of failing to deliver significant benefits to the youth and farmers during its tenure.
Addressing reporters, Kharge expressed skepticism towards the BJP manifesto, asserting that the promises made by Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his tenure remain unfulfilled. He highlighted the BJP’s failure to double farmers’ income, increase Minimum Support Price (MSP), and provide legal guarantees for farmers’ welfare.
“He didn’t do any such big work in his tenure that would benefit all the people of the country. The youth is looking for jobs. Inflation is rising. He is not worried about inflation, unemployment,” Kharge stated, questioning the BJP’s commitment to addressing key issues affecting the populace.
Kharge further lambasted the BJP’s manifesto, claiming it reflects the ruling party’s lack of substantive offerings for the people. He cautioned against placing trust in the BJP’s promises, suggesting that they are merely hollow assurances devoid of tangible solutions.
The BJP’s manifesto, titled ‘Modi’s Guarantee 2024,’ emphasizes women’s empowerment, youth upliftment, and poverty alleviation. It introduces the GYAN scheme, targeting the welfare of the ‘Gareeb’ (poor), ‘Yuva’ (youth), ‘Annadaata’ (farmers), and ‘Nari’ (women). Additionally, the manifesto outlines plans for fostering economic prosperity, strengthening international relations, and promoting overall development.
Responding to the BJP’s manifesto, Congress leader Manish Tewari, also a party candidate in the general elections, questioned the BJP’s handling of issues such as inflation and rural distress. He criticized the surge in inflation and highlighted the significant increase in the budget allocation for the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MNREGA) over the past decade.
“The discontent on the ground is going to translate into an electoral defeat for the NDA-BJP,” Tewari remarked, suggesting that the prevailing dissatisfaction among the public could impact the BJP’s electoral prospects.
As India gears up for the Lok Sabha polls scheduled from April 19, 2024, to June 1, 2024, political parties engage in vigorous campaigning, with each vying to secure the trust and support of the electorate. The elections, conducted over seven phases, will culminate in the declaration of results on June 4.