Karnataka elections: Congress releases manifesto, promises ban on Bajrang Dal
The Congress on Tuesday unveiled its poll manifesto for the Karnataka Assembly elections scheduled for May 10. It promised a ban on organizations that spread hatred, such as the Bajrang Dal and the Popular Front of India (PFI). The manifesto was released by party President Mallikarjun Kharge, Karnataka's former Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, state unit president DK Shivakumar, and the manifesto committee's head G Parameshwara.
Why does this story matter?
The Congress manifesto was released a day after the incumbent Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) released its "Praja Dhwani" manifesto. In Karnataka, campaigning is in full swing for the upcoming elections and 2024 Lok Sabha polls. The BJP came to power in Karnataka in 2019 by toppling the elected Congress-Janata Dal (Secular) coalition government. Notably, no party has won two consecutive terms in Karnataka yet.
Congress promises 200 units of free electricity, other freebies
Increased reservations for SC, ST, Lingayats, Vokkaligas: Congress
The manifesto titled "Sarva Janangada Shanthiya Thota" (peaceful garden of all communities) promises to increase reservation for the Lingayat and Vokkaliga communities, which are dominant in the state. It also promised to increase the reservation quota for Scheduled Castes (SCs) from 15% to 17% and for Scheduled Tribes (STs) from 3% to 7% and to seek its inclusion in the Constitution's 9th Schedule.
Unemployment allowance, OPS, minimum wage on cards
Furthermore, the party assured that it would consider minimum wages and Old Pension Scheme (OPS) for government employees. Apart from 200 units of free electricity, it promised Rs. 2,000 to every woman head of a family and free state transport bus passes to all women. It also promised an unemployment allowance of Rs. 3,000 and Rs. 1,500 for graduates and diploma holders, respectively.
Will form state education policy to reject NEP
The Congress added that it would form a state education policy to reject the BJP government's National Education Policy (NEP). Siddaramaiah said his party wants to amend the Supreme Court's ceiling on reservations and increase it to 75% to accommodate all categories. It promised to "repeal all unjust laws and anti-people laws passed by the BJP government within one year of coming to power."
