The word "guarantee" has been frequently used in political manifestos lately. After the BJP and the Aam Aadmi Party, it is now the turn of the Congress to claim ownership of this political hard sell that has caught the imagination of the Delhi voter.
On Wednesday, Congress leader Jairam Ramesh mentioned that the party had introduced the term during the Karnataka assembly elections in May 2023. “If a government fails to fulfil its ‘guaranteed’ promises, the public should have the right to hold it accountable,” he said.
Ramesh was speaking at the launch of the Congress manifesto for Delhi assembly elections scheduled for February 5.
DPCC president Devender Yadav explained that the ‘Delhi Manifesto 2025’ is divided into 22 different segments, with schemes “favouring” the youth, women and the underprivileged in the capital city.
Yadav highlighted the five major guarantees: Financial aid worth Rs 2,500 for eligible women; Rs 25 lakh health insurance; Rs 8,500 for unemployed youth; LPG cylinders at Rs 500, and 300 units of free electricity. The manifesto lists 33% reservation in government jobs for women.
“After 2025, any contractual jobs—be it that of a teacher, a clean-up worker or a civil defence officer—will be regularised,” Yadav said. He explained that considering the rising inflation, the party plans to increase pensions for the elderly and widows. If elected to power, the Congress will also set up 100 Indira Canteens offering meals at Rs 5 per plate, he added.
According to him, although the Street Vendors Act was brought in a decade back during the Congress’ tenure, “only 63 thousand people have benefitted out of the expected 7.5 lakh over the past 10 years”. He accused the AAP administration of failing to assign proper vending zones or even set up a vending committee.
The manifesto assures the initiation of caste census in Delhi and the establishment of a separate ministry for the “purvanchalis”. Additionally, it promises to recognise the Chhathh Pooja as a public holiday.
Bringing focus on the city’s “dilapidated healthcare system”, the DPCC president claimed that “the number of hospitals in Delhi has declined from 95 in 2014 to 52”. The party has promised to set up more hospitals with dispensaries operating 24 hours.
The focus is also on education, a key plank of the AAP and the BJP as well. The Congress has proposed to set up 700 public libraries across Delhi to provide better study spaces for students. It has also sought to address the city’s water crisis by tackling the “56% water wastage” and improving daily supply to city dwellers.
