The Aryavarth Express
Agency(New Delhi): The Congress party has introduced its manifesto for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, outlining a comprehensive plan under five “pillars of justice” which includes 25 specific guarantees. The release event was held at the AICC headquarters, attended by key figures such as Mallikarjun Kharge, Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi, and KC Venugopal.
Among the major pledges, the Congress has vowed to implement a 10% reservation for the economically weaker sections across all communities in jobs and educational institutions. It also plans to address the cap on reservations by proposing a constitutional amendment to increase the current 50% limit to accommodate SCs, STs, and OBCs more effectively.
The manifesto, named ‘Nyay Patra,’ promises to fill approximately 30 lakh vacancies in various central government roles and to replicate Rajasthan’s model of cashless insurance up to ₹25 lakh for universal healthcare coverage. Additionally, the party intends to conduct a nationwide socio-economic and caste census to better inform its policies.
Key legislative proposals include the introduction of a ‘right to apprenticeship act’ ensuring one-year apprenticeships for diploma holders or graduates under 25, and legal backing for Minimum Support Prices (MSP) for farmers as recommended by the Swaminathan Commission.
In a move toward restoring administrative normalcy, the Congress has also committed to reinstating full statehood to Jammu and Kashmir and scrapping the Agnipath military recruitment program in favor of traditional enlistment methods.
At the manifesto launch, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge emphasized the importance of democratic governance and appealed to voters to transcend divisive politics. He criticized the current administration’s economic policies and accused it of undermining the opposition by freezing its financial accounts, questioning the fairness of the electoral playing field.
As the general elections approach, with voting set to begin on April 19, the Congress’s manifesto sets the stage for its campaign narrative, focusing on inclusivity, governance reform, and social justice.
