The Indian National Congress on Wednesday released its much-awaited manifesto for 2014 Lok Sabha Polls in New Delhi.
The pro-poor manifesto, with the tagline “Your Voice, Our Pledge”, assures inclusive growth for India. It also promises home for every poor family and inexpensive health care for all.
Speaking on the occasion Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi said, “It is a public manifesto based on the views and opinions gathered from the people from all walks of life across India. It was not prepared in a room behind closed doors. We want to keep both business community and common people together. Have taken and considered the views and demands of coolies at New Delhi Railway station, fishermen of Mumbai, tribals, middle class, educated and all. 90 per cent of the promises we made in 2009 have been delivered.”
Slamming Narendra Modi, Rahul said, “Narendra Modi represents a thought process which is exclusionary, which pits people against each other.”
Rahul Gandhi also said that UPA had fulfilled “90 per cent” of whatever promised in 2009 manifesto.
Attacking BJP’s Prime Ministerial candidate, the Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh said, “Today we hear about Gujarat Model, but there is only one model, the Congress model – growth with equality… Congress model is a real model. It has long term solutions. Congress record is visible to everyone who cares to look at it.”
Congress President Sonia Gandhi asked voters to vote for secularism and said she is confident that Congress will come back to power.
“We will fight for an India where there is no discrimination, which is secular,” Sonia Gandhi said.
“We have done some great work. Harmony is must, not divisive politics. We will fight for the unity of India. This election for the Congress is importnant to keep constitutional fabric of the country intact. We will fight for unity. We will fight for the ideology which doesn’t divide,” she added.
Sonia Gandhi said that Congress manifesto is a holy document.
“For our opponents, manifesto is a vote getting weapon. For us it is a holy document,” she said.
Rejecting opinion polls, Congress President said she had no faith in opinion polls.
“They got it wrong in the previous election in 2009,” she said.
Key note in the manifesto:
#Right to health
# Right to social security
# Right to pension
# Reservation in education and employment for SC/ST/OBCs
# Women empowerment
# 8 per cent growth rate
