This is an archive article published on March 16, 2024
‘Agni pariksha of democracy’, ‘last chance to save Constitution’: Oppn after EC announces LS poll dates
Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) president Mayawati said that it would have been better if the Lok Sabha elections were held in three or four phases, instead of seven.
Cong chief Mallikarjun Kharge with Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah and Dy CM
D K Shivakumar in Bengaluru on Saturday. ANI
Soon after the announcement of the schedule for the Lok Sabha polls, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge said this election is going to be “perhaps the last chance” to save India’s democracy and Constitution.
In a post on X Saturday, Kharge said, “2024 Lok Sabha elections will open the ‘Door of NYAY’ for India. This would be perhaps the last chance to save Democracy and our Constitution from Dictatorship. ‘We the people of India’ will together fight against hatred, loot, unemployment, price rise and atrocities. Haath Badlega Halaat.”
Earlier in the day, before the Model Code of Conduct set in, the Congress announced another set of manifesto promises, this time focusing on workers.
It promised that if voted to power, it will bring in a Right to Health law, an employment guarantee Act for urban areas, and increase the national minimum wage to Rs 400 per day.
In Bengaluru, Kharge, while promising Shramik Nyay and Hissedari Nyay, reiterated the party’s resolve to pass a Constitutional amendment to raise the 50 per cent cap on reservation for SCs, STs and OBCs, and conduct a comprehensive social, economic and caste census.
The party has already announced a raft of promises for the youth, women, SCs and STs and farmers, centering around the broad theme of Nyay, hoping to strike a chord with these sections.
The centrepiece of the announcements Saturday were promises to enact a “Right to Health law that will provide universal healthcare, including free essential diagnostics, medicines, treatment, surgery, and rehabilitative and palliative care” and “bring an employment guarantee Act for urban areas, with a focus on building public infrastructure, making cities resilient to climate change, and bridging gaps in social services”.
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The party also promised to increase the national minimum wage to Rs 400 per day which, it said, will also be the minimum for all MGNREGS workers across the nation. The current floor wage stands at Rs 176 per day, last revised in 2017. The other promise was to put in place an architecture for providing comprehensive social security for all unorganised workers, including life insurance and accident insurance.
The Congress said there will be a “comprehensive review of the anti-worker labour codes passed by the Modi Government, and to make suitable amendments to strengthen the rights of labour”.
Kharge said, “The Congress will stop contractualisation of employment in core Government functions. Contract labour will be the employment of last resort only, requiring clear justification and protection for the rights of workers. Contract employment in the private sector will be required to meet minimum standards of social security.”
The party has signalled that livelihood issues like unemployment and rise in cost of living will be the centrepiece of its campaign. The 25 promises that the party has announced so far are tailored to address the issues and appeal to the youth, women, Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribes and farmers.
Manoj C G currently serves as the Chief of National Political Bureau at The Indian Express. A veteran journalist with a career spanning nearly two decades, he plays a pivotal role in shaping the publication's coverage of India's political landscape.
Experience & Career: Manoj has built a robust career in political journalism, marked by a transition from wire service reporting to in-depth newspaper analysis.
The Indian Express (2008 – Present): He joined the organization in 2008 and has risen to lead the National Political Bureau, overseeing key political coverage.
Press Trust of India (PTI): Prior to his tenure at The Indian Express, Manoj worked with India’s premier news agency, PTI, honing his skills in breaking news and accurate reporting.
Expertise & Focus Areas: As a seasoned political observer, Manoj focuses on the nuances of governance and party dynamics.
National Politics: extensive reporting on the central government, parliamentary affairs, and national elections.
Political Strategy: Deep analysis of party structures, coalition politics, and the shifting ideologies within the Indian political spectrum.
Bureau Leadership: directing a team of reporters to cover the most critical developments in the nation's capital.
Authoritativeness & Trust: Manoj’s authoritativeness is grounded in his nearly 20 years of field experience and his leadership role at a legacy newspaper. His long-standing association with The Indian Express underscores a reputation for consistency, editorial integrity, and rigorous reporting standards required of a Bureau Chief.
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