Congress releases manifesto, promises action against Bajrang Dal, PFI

New Delhi: Close on the heels of the BJP manifesto, the Congress on Tuesday released its manifesto for the upcoming Assembly elections in Karnataka. The party decided to call its manifesto "Sarva Janangada Shanthiya Thota", which translates to "Peaceful garden of all communities". 

The Congress' vision document reiterated five guarantees: Gruha Jyothi, Gruha Lakshmi, Anna Bhagya, Yuva Nidhi & Shakti. Speaking at the launch, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge said, "I am giving the sixth guarantee that these poll guarantees will surely be implemented in the first Cabinet meeting on the first day of the government formation."

The Congress, in its manifesto, took a strong stand and decisive action against individuals and organisations "spreading hatred" amongst communities on grounds of caste and religion. The manifesto read: "We believe that the law and Constitution are sacrosanct and cannot be violated by individuals and organisations like the Bajrang Dal, PFI or others promoting enmity or hatred, whether among majority or minority communities. We will take decisive action as per law, including imposing a ban on any such organisations."

While stating that the reservation quota will be increased to 75 per cent to accommodate the hopes of SC, ST, OBC and minorities, the party promised to restore the 4 per cent reservation for Muslims, which was scrapped by the BJP government.

With regard to the internal reservation announced by the BJP government, the Congress manifesto states, "The Justice A.J. Sadashiva Commission report on internal reservation will be placed in the first session of the



legislature session. The caste census report will be implemented."

The Congress also announced that it will repeal all "unjust and anti-people laws" passed by the BJP government within one year, besides repealing the anti-farmers laws enacted by the BJP government. It has also announced that all "politically motivated" cases against farmers will be withdrawn.

The Congress made it clear that the National Education Policy will be rejected and a state education policy will be announced. "The Congress will restore the true values of Bharat and Karnataka and the scientific temper in text books. The BJP government has distorted text books by insulting Basavanna and Kuvempu," according to the manifesto.

The salaries of anganwadi and mini-anganwadi workers will be enhanced to Rs 15,000 and Rs 10,000, respectively and the police personnel on night duty will get an additional allowance of Rs 5,000 per month along with a month’s salary extra every year.

The MSP will be based on the recommendation of the Agriculture Price Commission, it said, adding that under the Ksheera Kranti scheme, a target will be set to produce 1.5-crore litres of milk daily in Karnataka. It also promised to enhance the farmer's financial incentive from Rs 5 to Rs 7 per litre. Under the Matsya Kranthi scheme, Rs 12,000 crores will be invested to improve income in the blue economy. The Congress has also promised to complete the Yettinahole irrigation project within 2 years of coming to power.

The state is going to the polls on May 10, and the counting is on May 13.