Amidst the political landscape of New Delhi, the Lok Sabha elections are branded as “unjust” by opposition figures. However, despite these allegations, the INDIA coalition anticipates a resounding victory owing to the widespread endorsement of its “five principles of justice and 25 assurances,” as stated by senior Congress figure, Jairam Ramesh, on Saturday.
Ramesh further asserts that the electorate will unequivocally denounce Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s efforts to sway the elections in his favor through unfair means. He highlights a prevailing sentiment among the populace, encapsulated by the phrase “enough of ten years of injustice,” indicating a palpable discontent with the incumbent regime.
Furthermore, Ramesh criticizes Modi and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh for their rhetoric regarding a purported “new India” that confronts adversaries head-on, dismissing these assertions as diversionary tactics aimed at deflecting attention from the Congress’ core message of “five principles of justice and 25 assurances” outlined in its manifesto.
Regarding the fairness of the electoral process, Ramesh acknowledges the targeting of opposition entities but expresses confidence in the INDIA coalition’s ability to secure a decisive mandate due to the resonance of the Congress’ principles and pledges with the electorate.
These sentiments follow the unveiling of the Congress’ manifesto, emphasizing five fundamental pillars of justice and 25 associated guarantees, during a ceremony at the party headquarters attended by Congress luminaries such as Mallikarjun Kharge, Sonia Gandhi, and Rahul Gandhi.
Key assurances outlined in the manifesto include the right to apprenticeship, a statutory guarantee for Minimum Support Price (MSP), an amendment to raise the ceiling on reservations for Scheduled Castes (SCs), Scheduled Tribes (STs), and Other Backward Classes (OBCs), a comprehensive caste census, and the abolition of the Agnipath scheme.
In a recent interview with PTI, Ramesh reaffirmed the cohesion within the INDIA coalition despite political upheavals, expressing confidence in the opposition’s ability to collectively surpass the halfway mark of 272 seats to challenge the BJP’s grip on power. The seven-phase Lok Sabha elections are scheduled between April 19 and June 1, with results slated for announcement on June 4.
