Opposition jabs BJP manifesto: 'No mention of inflation, unemployment'

Opposition parties slammed the BJP over its Lok Sabha manifesto and alleged that it was a 'jumla patra' (a document of fake promises) and having no mention of inflation and unemployment.

In Short

• Opposition parties accuse BJP of not focusing on inflation, unemployment in manifesto
• They allege people no longer trust BJP's poll promises
• PM Narendra Modi releases BJP's Lok Sabha manifesto

Opposition parties on Sunday took on the BJP over its manifesto for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections and alleged that the promises made in the poll document were "full of lies" and "not trustworthy". They also accused the saffron party of ignoring unemployment and inflation in the manifesto.

The BJP's manifesto has a special focus on the poor, young people, farmers and women. Prime Minister Narendra Modi released the poll document and said his government has promised to implement the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) and hold simultaneous polls (One Nation, One Election).

In response, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi said inflation and unemployment were "missing" from BJP's manifesto.

"The BJP does not even want to discuss the most important issues related to people's lives. INDIA's plan is very clear - recruitment for 30 lakh posts and a permanent job of Rs 1 lakh to every educated youth," he tweeted in Hindi.

"This time, the youth is not going to fall into the trap of PM Modi. He will now strengthen the hands of Congress and bring 'employment revolution' in the country," he said.

Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra said the BJP's manifesto was a "sham" and alleged that their real manifesto was 'Samvidhaan Badlo Patra' (change Constitution manifesto).

"Remember, BJP starts all these conspiracies against the country, society and democracy from the bottom. In the beginning, the top leaders will take oath on the Constitution in front of the people, but at night they write a script to destroy the Constitution. Later, after gaining complete power, they will attack the Constitution," she alleged.

She said that Babasaheb Ambedkar's Constitution was "the soul of India" and said all Opposition parties should unite to defeat the BJP.

"Today, we all have to unite and reject BJP's 'Constitution Change Mission' and say loudly that the country will be run by the Constitution and together we will defeat those who intend to change the Constitution," she wrote in Hindi on X.

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge hit out at PM Modi and accused him of not doing anything that would benefit all sections of society. He also said that one could not trust the BJP's manifesto.

"He (PM Narendra Modi) had said he will double farmers' income. He had said that he would increase MSP and give a legal guarantee - this is the guarantee. He didn't do any such big work in his tenure that would benefit all the people of the country," he said.

Congress leader Pawan Khera said the party had strong objection to the name of BJP's manifesto, 'Sankalp Patra', adding that it should be named 'maafinama' (apology document).

"Modi ji should have apologized to the Dalits, farmers, youth and tribals of the country," he said.

Khera alleged the saffron party's manifesto was new 'jumlas' and untrustworthy.

"None of the governments before this has suffered the 'disease' of shifting goalposts. What you said in 2014, you gave no account on that in 2019 and you put new 'jumlas' and goalposts in 2019. In 2024, you're talking about 2047," he said.

"They (BJP) have written in the manifesto that they will host the 2036 Olympics. Where would you be then? Will you be there in the government? You should give an account of 5 years. They lie with so much clarity but now that they have lied so much that no one trusts them now," he added.

"The young people is looking for jobs. Inflation is rising. He is not worried about inflation and unemployment. In 10 years, this man couldn't do anything for the poor. It is not correct to trust his manifesto. It proves that he has nothing to offer people," he added.

Delhi Minister and AAP leader Atishi asserted that BJP's manifesto is a 'jumla patra' (a document of fake promises) and that there was not much focus on inflation and unemployment.

"People are worried because of unemployment. The price of (LPG) cylinders has risen from Rs 300 to Rs 1,200. Diesel price has risen from Rs 55 to Rs 90. Every family is facing difficulty in meeting expenses. This 'jumla patra' that has been released by BJP today won’t be trusted by anyone now," she said.

Voicing similar sentiments, Congress leader Manish Tewari slammed the BJP for not giving focus to inflation in its manifesto.

"What people want to know is why the common man is reeling under the burden of inflation. What people want to know is the MNREGA budget, which is an indicator of rural distress, has gone up from Rs 33,000 crore to almost Rs 90,000 crore in the past 10 years," he said.

"So, there are real issues on the ground troubling people. The discontent on the ground is going to translate into an electoral defeat for the NDA and BJP," he said.

BJP MANIFESTO RELEASED

Earlier today, PM Modi released the BJP's manifesto for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections at the party headquarters in Delhi. Titled 'Modi's Guarantee 2024', the manifesto - also known as 'Sankalp Patra' - focusses on women empowerment, the upliftment of youth and the poor.

The manifesto targets GYAN - which are schemes for the 'Gareeb' (poor), 'Yuva' (youth), 'Annadaata' (farmers), and 'Nari' (women). It also focusses on making India prosperous, strengthening its international relations, and fostering the development of the country's heritage, among others.

(with inputs from agencies)
Published By:
Prateek Chakraborty
Published On:
Apr 14, 2024