News Brief
Lok Sabha Elections 2024: BJP Manifesto Draws Ire From Congress, AAP For Not Addressing 'Key Issues'
Congress leaders (L to R) — Sonia Gandhi, Mallikarjun Kharge, and Rahul Gandhi (Photo: Congress for INDIA/X) (Representative Image)
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) released its manifesto, termed the ‘Sankalp Patra’, for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections.
The document's unveiling sparked a sharp response from opposition parties, including the Congress and the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), who criticised the manifesto and its promises.
Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, alongside senior leaders Pawan Khera, Supriya Shrinate, and Amitabh Dubey, openly questioned the credibility of the BJP's promises.
Kharge highlighted alleged shortcomings in the BJP's governance, particularly concerning youth employment and farmer benefits.
"They have done nothing in the last few years which benefits the youths and farmers of the country. Youths are yearning for jobs, and there is a rise in inflation. They don’t care about all this. It won’t be right to trust their manifesto again," Kharge remarked.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi also criticised the BJP for not addressing key issues such as inflation and unemployment in its manifesto.
"India's plan is crystal clear - recruitment for 3 million positions and a guaranteed job of Rs 1 lakh for every educated youth. This time, the youth will not be deceived by Modi; they will strengthen the hand of Congress and bring about an 'employment revolution' in the country," Gandhi added.
He contrasted this with Congress's employment strategy, promising substantial job creation and fixed employment opportunities for educated youths.
Pawan Khera criticised the BJP's long-term promises, such as hosting the 2036 Olympics, as unrealistic given the current political and economic climate.
He suggested that the BJP's manifesto should be considered a "Maafinama" (apology letter) rather than a 'Sankalp Patra', urging an apology to various societal segments including Dalits and farmers.
The AAP joined the critique, with senior leader Atishi labeling the manifesto as a series of unkept promises from previous elections.
"This manifesto shows the promises they made and never fulfilled… Modi ji promised jobs for youths and was one of the poll promises in 2019 but in the last nine years, Modi ji has not provided any jobs," Atishi stated.
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