The Congress manifesto for Jharkhand promises to initiate a dialogue with Maoists. The Congress’s stance during its UPA governments has been that talks can happen with the Maoists only if they give up arms; what the manifesto says is, “.Along with taking taking strong action, we will keep the option of talks open”. “We will decide the details (on whether they should lay down arms first) once we come to power. But the Congress party’s preference is that dialogue should take place along with firm action and development,” said Subodh Kant Sahay, the party’s campaign committee chairperson for the state. In contrast, the BJP manifesto had four lines on Maoism. It said that it would explore various ways to solve the problem without going into specifics. Other Congress promises include a television set for every BPL household, along with uninterrupted electricity. The party also promises 35 kg free rice to all households. The populist manifesto also promises clothes and a mangalsutra for those getting married. The party promises a bicycle each to madrasa students. It has also promised to increase the number of assembly seats in Jharkhand from 81 to 140, in addition to creating a legislative council.
