In its manifesto for the Karnataka Assembly elections on May 2, the Congress promised to repeal all “anti-people and unjust laws” enacted by the BJP government within one year of taking office, to scrap the National Education Policy (NEP), and to accept the caste census report, in addition to reiterating its five “guarantees” announced previously.
It reiterates the party’s promises: Gruha Jyothi (electricity), Gruha Lakshmi (2,000 per month to female heads of families), Anna Bhagya (food grains to BPL families), Yuvanidhi (unemployment assistance), and Shakti (free travel for women on State buses).
The party has promised investment of ₹1.5 lakh crore over next five to complete pending irrigation projects in Karnataka, ₹1.5 lakh crore for modernisation of agriculture, and ₹50,000 crore for development of infrastructure in villages.
While it has stated that it will sympathetically consider the demands of government employees who joined the service after 2006 for the implementation of the Old Pension Scheme, it also promises to implement a transparent tendering system in major departments such as public works. Irrigation, urban development, and power are all examples of panchayat raj.
While claiming that the reservation quota matrix would be raised to 75% to accommodate the hopes of SC, ST, OBC, and minorities, the party also promised to reinstate the 4% reservation quota for Muslims, which the BJP government had abolished.
The MSP would be determined by the Agriculture Price Commission, it said, adding that the Ksheera Kranti plan will set a target of producing 1.5 crore litres of milk daily in Karnataka. It also pledged to increase the farmer’s cash incentive from $5 to $7 per litre. The Matsya Kranthi programme will invest 12,000 crore to increase revenue in the blue economy. In addition, Congress has vowed to finish the Yettinahole irrigation project within two years after taking office.
The party has also pledged a 5,000 crore investment in the tourist sector as well as the establishment of a 1,009 crore fund for the MSME sector. The party has also offered a 2,000 crore seed grant for the Karnataka State Educational Finance Corporation to give scholarships. It has also vowed to fill all teacher, doctor, and other positions in the education and health departments. In addition, the party plans to enhance solar power generation by 5,000 MW.
“Strong action would be taken against individuals and organisations that incite hatred among communities based on caste and community.” Congress thinks that the rule of law is sacred and that it cannot be compromised by Bajrang Dal and PFI.”
The Congress, accusing the BJP administration of adopting anti-labor measures, said that it will repeal the modification to the Factories Act that would increase working hours from 8 to 12 hours per day.
It said that the BJP’s major goal was to polarise people in order to gain power. The Congress, on the other hand, believes in equitable development and social justice, and the platform said that 10,000 crore will be given for minorities’ welfare and the preservation of sites of worship.
The party has vowed to complete phase 3 of the Namma Metro within a year of taking office and to try to extend the Metro line all the way to Vasanth Narsapur in Tumakuru. Lakes will be revitalised, and water activities will be encouraged in these bodies of water. The party has committed to work hard to make the BBMP financially self-sufficient.
In addition, the party has vowed to establish the Mangalamukhi Welfare Board for Gender Minorities and the Field Marshal Kariyappa Ex-servicemen Development Board. Senior folks have been offered free pilgrimage to one of Karnataka’s 15 holy spots and one of India’s ten sacred places every two years. It has also declared a 1% reservation for gender minorities in police recruiting.
The Congress Party has announced intentions to establish the Puneeth Rajkumar Heart Health Scheme, which would give subsidies to doctors, clinics, and nursing homes for the purchase of defibrillators (AEDs). The plan is named after a prominent Kannada actor who died at a young age in 2021 due to a cardiac condition.
With a huge number of Kannadigas now living in other countries, the Congress has announced the establishment of a separate Ministry for NRI-Kannadigas. It has also agreed to acknowledge Kannada NGOs from other countries.
The party has announced the establishment of the Kashmir Cultural Centre at a cost of 15 crore and a one-time donation of 25 crore as a welfare gesture for Kashmiri Pandits who have relocated to Karnataka.
