1. Election manifestos are sparking tensions between BJP and Congress ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha polls.
2. Congress dismisses BJP’s ‘Modi Ki Guarantee’ manifesto as filled with empty promises or ‘jumps Patra’.
3. Clash over manifesto content highlights differing political narratives and campaign strategies.
New Delhi, April 17: The clash over election manifestos has emerged as a focal point in the lead-up to the 2024 Lok Sabha polls, igniting tensions between the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Congress.
The Congress criticized the BJP’s ‘Sankalp Patra’ or ‘Modi Ki Guarantee’ manifesto, labeling it as a document full of empty promises or ‘jumps patra’.
It accused the BJP of shifting its goals from the 2019 promises of two crore jobs annually and doubling farmer incomes to now projecting these goals for 2047. The Congress alleged that the BJP failed to fulfill its earlier promises.
In response, the BJP filed a complaint with the Election Commission, accusing the Congress manifesto, titled ‘Ghar Ghar Guarantee’, of promoting corrupt practices amounting to bribery.
This exchange echoes past disputes, notably during the Karnataka polls, where the Congress’ promises, termed ‘Revdis’, played a significant role in its victory.
The BJP criticized these pledges as detrimental to the economy and questioned their effectiveness in improving living standards.
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Now, the BJP seeks to restrain the Congress from distributing ‘guarantee cards’ and promotional materials, alleging they serve as tools for electoral bribery.
Manifesto promises have long been debated, prompting the Election Commission to request details from political parties about the financial implications and feasibility of their pledges in 2022.
The Commission stressed the importance of seeking voter trust only for realistic promises to maintain the integrity of elections and a level playing field for all parties.
