Seven guarantees include financial support for women and a new Sarna Dharma Code
Team Clarion
RANCHI — The INDIA bloc, led by the Congress party, released its election manifesto on Tuesday, setting out seven key promises ahead of the Jharkhand Assembly elections. Chief Minister Hemant Soren and Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge announced the manifesto at a joint event, highlighting measures aimed at social welfare, economic relief, and educational development.
Among the promises, the alliance has committed to providing ₹2,500 per month to women and offering LPG cylinders at a subsidised rate of ₹450. “These guarantees are not just promises but commitments we intend to fulfill,” Kharge stated, taking a swipe at Prime Minister Narendra Modi. “Unlike the current government, Congress keeps its word,” he said, criticising Modi for what he called unfulfilled assurances.
The joint manifesto includes seven significant pledges aimed at benefiting diverse sections of Jharkhand’s population:
1. Monthly Ration and Subsidised LPG: Every person will receive 7 kg of ration per month, and LPG cylinders will be available at ₹450.
2. Enhanced Reservation Quotas: The alliance has proposed increasing reservations to 28% for Scheduled Tribes, 12% for Scheduled Castes, and 27% for Other Backward Classes.
3. Financial Support for Women: Women will receive ₹2,500 per month to enhance their economic stability.
4. Sarna Dharma Code: A new Sarna Dharma Code will be implemented to recognise and protect indigenous religious practices.
5. Employment and Health Insurance: The alliance has pledged to create 10 lakh government jobs and provide health insurance cover of up to ₹15 lakh per family.
6. Higher MSP for Paddy: Farmers will benefit from an increased minimum support price (MSP) for paddy, set at ₹3,200 per quintal.
7. Educational Infrastructure: Plans to establish an engineering college, a medical college, and a university in each district were also unveiled, aiming to boost educational access and local opportunities.
Speaking at the manifesto launch, Chief Minister Soren emphasised the need to inform voters of the alliance’s priorities. “We are here today to share the guarantees we aim to work on after forming the government,” he said. Reflecting on the decision to hold elections a month earlier than anticipated, Soren questioned the urgency, adding that “work on the announced schemes will begin promptly upon forming the government.”
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which released its manifesto just days earlier, has also set out a range of promises. BJP’s manifesto includes implementing a Uniform Civil Code (UCC) while exempting tribals from its provisions. Union Home Minister Amit Shah, while presenting the manifesto, accused Soren’s Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) of misrepresenting the BJP’s stance on tribal rights. “The BJP is committed to safeguarding the rights, culture, and laws of Jharkhand’s tribals,” Shah assured, condemning claims to the contrary as “baseless.”
The BJP manifesto promises to support women with ₹2,100 per month under its ‘Gogogodidi’ scheme, among a total of 150 commitments aimed at social and economic upliftment.
As the Jharkhand Assembly elections approach, both alliances are rallying for voter support with pledges addressing welfare, reservation, and development issues. With 81 seats up for contention, the Congress, JMM, and Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) are contesting together under the India bloc banner. The Congress has fielded candidates in 30 seats, the JMM in 40, and the RJD in seven.
As election campaigns heat up, the India Alliance and BJP are laying out their visions for Jharkhand’s future, with promises designed to resonate with diverse segments of the electorate.
