The publication of party manifestos is a big moment in a general election campaign. Political parties contesting elections announce their plans for running the country, setting out the policies they would deliver on, if they were to win. Manifestos contain a description of the party’s world view and approach to governance and state policies. Even though manifestos do not usually decide election outcomes, they can sometimes feature prominently in the campaign, and bear the ability to shape political narratives, and influence how people vote.
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) issued its manifesto, the ‘Sankalp Patra’, on April 14 just before April 19, the first phase of this potentially momentous general election in 2024. Perhaps it was issued this late because the party assumes that the election result is a foregone conclusion. Meanwhile, the Congress’ Party manifesto, titled the ‘Nyay Patra’, was announced on April 5 and has already evoked much interest. The manifesto offers an agenda of progressive politics and policies against the backdrop of unprecedented inequalities and the BJP’s majoritarian agenda. It defines an alternative vision, and proposes measures to ‘reverse the damage’ purportedly done by 10 years of BJP rule at the Centre.
