NEW DELHI: In a show of combativeness designed to amplify the charge of corruption and cronyism against the Modi govt, Congress has promised to investigate Rafale deal, demonetisation, Pegasus spyware purchase and electoral bonds scheme, and committed to act against those who made “illegal gains” through this “cloak of corruption”.
Also, Congress announced it will probe the fleeing of known scamsters from the country and vowed to act against the fugitives and their accomplices, noting that the BJP govt is perceived to have facilitated their escape – a clear reference to Vijay Mallya, Nirav Modi, Mehul Choksi among others.At the same time, it has promised to restore cases against politicians who have managed a clean chit after joining the BJP’s “washing machine”.
The three manifesto points are politically significant as they seek to club all the major controversies that Congress has litigated against the ruling BJP to accuse PM Narendra Modi of cronyism and corruption, even though with scarce political results. Their upfront mention in a special manifesto chapter called “anti-corruption” is also an attempt to project confidence going into the Lok Sabha contest, which is largely seen as tilted heavily in favour of the ruling party.
Importantly, Congress has promised to sack the BJP’s Manipur govt, which is at the heart of the ethnic strife that has roiled the state for nearly a year. The “nyay patra” is heavy on promises that seek to neutralise what Congress dubs as manifestations of BJP’s capture of institutions and defilement of the Constitution — targeting rivals through defamation law and enforcement agencies, toppling of opposition govts in states, misuse of Raj Bhavan and violation of federalism.
Charging that “India’s democracy has been reduced to an empty shell”, Congress has promised to decriminalise defamation, and “bring police, investigation and intelligence agencies” under the oversight of Parliament and assemblies as applicable. It has also promised to bring a law to reinforce the principle that “bail is rule and jail is exception”.
It also announced a plan to bring the office of NSA and the National Security Council under parliamentary oversight. Interestingly, Congress has steered clear of any promise to amend the PMLA, the key instrument of arrests of opposition leaders which the party has repeatedly lashed out against.
The manifesto merely promises that Congress “will put an end to the weaponisation of laws, arbitrary searches, seizures and attachments, arbitrary arrests”.
Also, the manifesto is silent on Old Pension Scheme that Congress has promised and introduced in states it won. P Chidambaram said the issue remains a party concern, but the Centre has already taken cognisance of its demand and ordered a review to marry the old and the new schemes. Hailing judiciary as the last hope of people amid BJP’s decade-long “weaponisation of laws and misuse of agencies”, Congress said it will uphold the independence of judiciary by establishing a National Judicial Commission to appoint the judges, and the Commission’s composition will be decided in consultation with the Supreme Court. It also said a constitutional amendment will be done to create two divisions in the SC – constitutional court and a court of appeal.
Congress has promised to amend the labour codes passed by the BJP govt which it says are loaded against workers. The party is also for creating a “permanent commission” to report agricultural finance which will advise on the need for “loan forbearance” – a method to help farmers by postponing payments.
Touching upon its charge of BJP compromising federalism with respect to southern states, Congress said it will instruct the Finance Commission to factor in demographic performance and tax efforts in determining the shares of states in the central tax revenues. It has also promised the end of “Angel tax”, “cess raj”.
Seeking to address a common complaint of the middle classes, Congress seeks to nudge states to set up “fee regulation panels” to make private school fees affordable.
Also, Congress announced it will probe the fleeing of known scamsters from the country and vowed to act against the fugitives and their accomplices, noting that the BJP govt is perceived to have facilitated their escape – a clear reference to Vijay Mallya, Nirav Modi, Mehul Choksi among others.At the same time, it has promised to restore cases against politicians who have managed a clean chit after joining the BJP’s “washing machine”.
The three manifesto points are politically significant as they seek to club all the major controversies that Congress has litigated against the ruling BJP to accuse PM Narendra Modi of cronyism and corruption, even though with scarce political results. Their upfront mention in a special manifesto chapter called “anti-corruption” is also an attempt to project confidence going into the Lok Sabha contest, which is largely seen as tilted heavily in favour of the ruling party.
Importantly, Congress has promised to sack the BJP’s Manipur govt, which is at the heart of the ethnic strife that has roiled the state for nearly a year. The “nyay patra” is heavy on promises that seek to neutralise what Congress dubs as manifestations of BJP’s capture of institutions and defilement of the Constitution — targeting rivals through defamation law and enforcement agencies, toppling of opposition govts in states, misuse of Raj Bhavan and violation of federalism.
Charging that “India’s democracy has been reduced to an empty shell”, Congress has promised to decriminalise defamation, and “bring police, investigation and intelligence agencies” under the oversight of Parliament and assemblies as applicable. It has also promised to bring a law to reinforce the principle that “bail is rule and jail is exception”.
It also announced a plan to bring the office of NSA and the National Security Council under parliamentary oversight. Interestingly, Congress has steered clear of any promise to amend the PMLA, the key instrument of arrests of opposition leaders which the party has repeatedly lashed out against.
The manifesto merely promises that Congress “will put an end to the weaponisation of laws, arbitrary searches, seizures and attachments, arbitrary arrests”.
Also, the manifesto is silent on Old Pension Scheme that Congress has promised and introduced in states it won. P Chidambaram said the issue remains a party concern, but the Centre has already taken cognisance of its demand and ordered a review to marry the old and the new schemes. Hailing judiciary as the last hope of people amid BJP’s decade-long “weaponisation of laws and misuse of agencies”, Congress said it will uphold the independence of judiciary by establishing a National Judicial Commission to appoint the judges, and the Commission’s composition will be decided in consultation with the Supreme Court. It also said a constitutional amendment will be done to create two divisions in the SC – constitutional court and a court of appeal.
Congress has promised to amend the labour codes passed by the BJP govt which it says are loaded against workers. The party is also for creating a “permanent commission” to report agricultural finance which will advise on the need for “loan forbearance” – a method to help farmers by postponing payments.
Touching upon its charge of BJP compromising federalism with respect to southern states, Congress said it will instruct the Finance Commission to factor in demographic performance and tax efforts in determining the shares of states in the central tax revenues. It has also promised the end of “Angel tax”, “cess raj”.
Seeking to address a common complaint of the middle classes, Congress seeks to nudge states to set up “fee regulation panels” to make private school fees affordable.