Congress seeks to wrest back power from BJP, which is ruling the state for a decade now. The electoral battle is chiefly being fought between these two parties, while the people of Haryana (barring the cadre votes) are busy in weighing their promises and their reliability before they would decide to vote.

Congress released its manifesto on September 18, and the BJP released its manifesto a day after on September 19. An analysis of the manifestoes of the both parties reveals that they are competitive in their promises – both giving a slew of freebies to various sections of the society in their attempt to get more votes. Both the parties have left all the political parties far behind, even the AAP, the party which has been alleged of winning polls chiefly by giving freebies to voters.

Exactly two months ago on July 20, Kejriwal’s AAP has given five promises or guarantees to the Haryana voters – free electricity, free medical treatment, free education, Rs1000 per month for every woman, and employment opportunities for youth. It was launched by jailed Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal’s wife Sunita Kejriwal as five “Kejriwal’s guarantees” for Haryana. At that time, there AAP had announced to contest on their own. However, in latter development, Congress and AAP had had seat sharing talks which failed just days before the Supreme Court of India granted bail to Arvind Kejriwal. Now Arvind Kejriwal will be campaigning in Haryana. The party is contesting now with the pitch ‘vote for son of the soil’ for Arvind Kejriwal but party is yet to modify its promises, especially the competitive promises of Congress and BJP has come out.

Congress has promised to pay a monthly allowance of Rs 2,000 to each woman between the ages of 18 and 60 years if it comes to power in the State. The party manifesto has also given ‘guarantees’ which include 300 units of free electricity to all households, a legal guarantee for minimum support prices (MSPs) for crops, and a caste census.

Cash to women are intended to attract women voters, while 300 units of free electricity to the common people who are not able to pay their high electricity bills. Farmers of the state have already up in arms against the BJP over the rejection of their demands including legal guarantee for MSP for their crops. Farmers feeling cheated by the Modi government because the promises given to them are yet to be fulfilled. Congress has also promised caste census if they come to power. It is particularly targeted towards attracting OBC support for the party.

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge had released the manifesto in the national capital, with the slogan of ‘Saat Vaade, Pakke Irade (Seven Promises, Firm Intentions)’. The party has also promised a pension of Rs 6,000 to all senior citizens, people with disabilities, and widows.

The manifesto has also promised to implement the Old Pension Scheme (OPS) for government employees. Apart from these, the promises include providing cooking gas cylinders for Rs 500 each; free medical treatment up to Rs 25 lakh; and free plots of 100 yards and ‘pucca’ houses to all.

To attract unemployed youth, the Congress said it would ensure permanent recruitment for two lakh vacant posts in government departments.

As for social justice is concerned, Congress manifesto said it would increase the income limit for the creamy layer among other backward classes (OBCs) from Rs 6 lakh to Rs 10 lakh, apart from getting caste census done.

Congress leader Bhupinder Singh Hooda said that the Congress is committed to fulfilling its promises, and alleged that the BJP has not implemented even its 2014 manifesto till date.

The BJP released its manifesto a day after and promised Rs 2100 per month to women as against Congress’ promise of Rs 2000, and AAP’s promise of giving Rs 1000. The party has also promised two lakh government jobs, 10 industrial towns, a guarantee of government jobs for Agniveers, and a full scholarship for Scheduled Caste and Other Backward Class students at government medical and engineering colleges.

BJP president JP Nadda said while releasing party’s manifesto titled “Non-Stop Haryana Ka Sankalp Patra’ that the BJP government would continue to procure 24 crops on the MSP and provide cooking cylinders to BPL families for Rs 500.

The party promised to create job opportunities for five lakh youths and pay monthly stipend under the National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme. It was promised that on returning to power, the BJP government would give incentives to industrialists to provide jobs to 50,000 local youths in each of the 10 industrial towns.

BJP’s promises include separate welfare boards for backward class communities, a metro network connecting Gurugram and Faridabad, making Haryana a global education centre, a safari park in the Aravallis to promote tourism, five lakh houses in urban and rural areas, and free dialysis and diagnostic facilities at government hospitals.

BJP president Nadda criticised Congress’ manifesto and said that it has “ended its relevance”, but the BJP was committed to fulfil its promises.

JJP-ASP alliance led by Dushyant Chautala has promised loan waiver for farmers; Rs 25000 per acre to farmers for crop damage; 50 per cent reservation for women in recruitment of teachers in schools, colleges, and universities; free higher education for Agniveers; and free bus passes to students and so on.

On behalf of INLD-BSP, INLD leader Abhay Chautala promised a separate capital and High Court for Haryana; Rs 7500 old age pension; government job to all educated children; fulfilling all 2 lakh vacancies in government; Rs 21,000 unemployment allowance; Rs 1100 to every housewife; free gas cylinders; and relief on electricity bills, and so on.

Even though there are many attractive promises, common voters are keeping their decisions close to their heart. Nevertheless, political situation on the ground seems to be in favour of the Congress, while BJP is facing a very high level of anti-incumbency. All other political parties are minor players in the fray, but if they win even a couple of seats, they may play kingmaker’s role. (IPA Service)