Congress Releases Manifesto For Karnataka Elections, Promises Free Electricity, Monthly Allowances For Unemployed Graduates

In its manifesto for the May 10 Karnataka Assembly elections, Congress vowed to repeal all 'unjust laws' and 'anti-people laws' passed by the ruling BJP government.

New Delhi: The Congress on Tuesday released its manifesto -- called 'Sarva Janangada Shanthiya Thota' (Peaceful garden of all communities) -- for the upcoming Karnataka Assembly Elections. In its manifesto for the May 10 elections, the Opposition party reiterated its five poll guarantees: Gruha Jyothi, Gruha Lakshmi, Anna Bhagya, Yuva Nidhi, and Shakti. The manifesto, which was released by Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge in the presence of state unit chief DK Shivakumar and senior leader Siddaramaiah, said that the Congress will provide free electricity up to 200 units, Rs 2,000 monthly for women heads of families, Rs 3,000 monthly for unemployed graduates, and Rs 1,500 monthly for unemployed diploma holders.

The Congress also vowed to repeal all 'unjust and anti-people laws' passed by the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government in Karnataka within one year of coming to power in the state. The party also promised free travel for women in KSRTC/BMTC buses and said it will consider extending Old Pension Scheme (OPS) to government employees who joined in 2006. 

LIVE: Congress manifesto launch for Karnataka Assembly election, 2023. https://t.co/JJTfPFpzqU — Congress (@INCIndia) May 2, 2023

"Congress manifesto focuses on how to generate employment, empower the women, eradicate poverty and how to hold the hands of farmers," news agency PTI quoted  Congress leader Gaurav Vallabh as saying ahead of the launch of the Congress manifesto.

Congress To Impose Ban On Bajrang Dal, PFI 

Congress in its manifesto said it will take "decisive action" as per law including banning organisations like Bajrang Dal, the Popular Front of India and others. "We will take decisive action as per law including imposing a ban on any such organisations, read the Congress manifesto released by the party president Mallikarjun Kharge here."

The Congress party is committed to taking firm and decisive action against individuals and organisations spreading hatred against communities on the grounds of caste and religion," read the Congress manifesto.

"We believe that law and Constitution are sacrosanct and cannot be violated by individuals and Organisations like Bajrang Dal, PFI or others promoting enmity or hatred, whether among majority or minority communities," it added.