Across the aisle by P Chidambaram: The declaration of intent (2024)

A statement can also conceal the true intention of the maker. False prophets make false statements. The statements that haunt Mr Narendra Modi are ‘I shall put `15 lakhs in the bank account of every Indian’, ‘I shall create 2 crore jobs a year’ and ‘ I shall double the farmers’ incomes’, among others. They…

A manifesto is a written declaration of intentions and views on issues that matter to the people. Some examples that come to mind are the Declaration of Independence, 1776 in the United States and Jawaharlal Nehru’s ‘Tryst with Destiny’ speech on August 14-15, 1947. Dr Manmohan Singh quoted Victor Hugo “No power on Earth can stop an idea whose time has come” on July 24, 1991 in a memorable speech that turned the direction of India’s economy. Those statements/speeches declared, loudly and clearly, the intent of the new rulers.

A statement can also conceal the true intention of the maker. False prophets make false statements. The statements that haunt Mr Narendra Modi are ‘I shall put `15 lakhs in the bank account of every Indian’, ‘I shall create 2 crore jobs a year’ and ‘ I shall double the farmers’ incomes’, among others. They were laughed away by his lieutenants as election jumla.

The two major political parties in India with a national footprint are the Indian National Congress and the Bharatiya Janata Party. The BJP constituted its Manifesto Committee on March 30, Congress released its Manifesto on April 5. I wish I could compare the two manifestos in this column, but only the Congress’ is available. I shall, therefore, list the salient features on which readers and voters should compare the two manifestos.

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Constitution of India

The Congress said, ‘We reiterate that the Constitution of India shall remain our sole guide and companion in our never-ending journey’. The people are anxious to know if the BJP will abide by the Constitution or amend it radically. The question has arisen in the context of the destabilising and divisive ideas such as One Nation, One Election; Uniform Civil Code; Citizenship Amendment Act (now under challenge in the Supreme Court), and others. The BJP should clarify whether it will adhere to the Westminster principles of parliamentary democracy embedded in the Constitution.

Socio-economic and caste census, reservation

Congress has made its intentions clear. A Congress-led government will conduct a nationwide Socio-economic and Caste Census. It will amend the Constitution to lift the 50% ceiling on reservations. The reservation of 10% in jobs and educational institutions for Economically Weaker Sections (EWS) will be thrown open to all castes and communities.

Congress will establish a Diversity Commission that will measure and promote diversity in employment and education. The BJP should shed its ambiguity and make its intentions absolutely clear on these matters so that the people will know where the two parties stand on the larger issue of Equity.

Minorities

There are religious and linguistic minorities in India. Congress has said it believes that all Indians are equally entitled to enjoy human rights that include the right to practice one’s religion, and that there is no place for majoritarianism or authoritarianism. Pluralism and diversity constitute the ethos of India. BJP has accused the Congress of ‘appeasem*nt’, a code word for its well-known anti-minority stand. Will the BJP re-affirm its determination to implement the Citizenship (Amendment) Act and to pass the Uniform Civil Code? Since the religious minorities consider the two laws as discriminatory, they anxiously await the BJP’s manifesto.

Youth and jobs

India’s demographic dividend is slipping away, thanks to the less-than-satisfactory average growth rate (5.9%), stagnant manufacturing sector (14% of GDP), low labour force participation rate (50%) and massive unemployment (42% among graduates). Congress has promised to fill the 30 lakh vacancies in central government jobs, pass the Right to Apprenticeship Act, implement an employment-linked incentive scheme (ELI) for corporates that will create new jobs, and establish a Fund of Funds scheme to promote start-ups. These have apparently excited the youth. The BJP-NDA government had no credible plan for jobs for youth; the question is whether the political party, BJP, will be able to offer a more attractive plan.

Women

Women have been the most enthusiastic participants in the election process. They listen to campaign speeches and debate among themselves. Anecdotal evidence suggests that Congress’ promises of Mahalakshmi Scheme (`1 lakh per year to every poor family), a daily wage of `400 under MGNREGS, revival of the Mahila Bank, and 50% reservation for women in central government jobs have found traction among women and girls. Whether the BJP will go beyond the appeal to religion (Hindutva) and come forward with concrete plans and programmes remains to be seen.

Federalism

The most-talked about issue is the BJP’s authoritarianism. The BJP has undermined federalism and the Constitutional declaration that India is a Union of States. The theory of One Nation, One Election is deeply suspect. It will pave the way for One Nation, One Election, One Government, One Party and One Leader. Congress’ Manifesto has 12 points in a chapter on Federalism; does the BJP agree on any? The most far-reaching promise is to build a consensus on transferring some fields of legislation from the Concurrent List to the State List. BJP’s credentials will be tested on these 12 points.

As far as I am concerned, the most important issue is the contesting parties’ commitment to the Constitution, parliamentary democracy, human rights, liberty and privacy, and constitutional morality. My vote will be for the candidate who will swear by and uphold those principles.