Issuing manifestos is increasingly common around the world wherever elections are held. According to the Election Commission of India an election manifesto is a published document containing declaration of the ideology, intentions, views, policies and programmes of a political party. The Election Manifestos are generally drafted by the Political Parties keeping an eye on forthcoming elections and are generally published and well publicized. The Hon’ble Supreme Court in its judgment/order dated 5th July 2013 in SLP(C) No. 21455 of 2008 has inter alia directed the Election Commission of India to frame guidelines on election manifesto to be included as part of the Model Code of Conduct. This code discourages political parties to refrain from offering freebees.
The General elections will be held in India from 19 April 2024 to 1 June 2024 to elect the 543 members of the 18th Lok Sabha.
India’s Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) proposes to arrive at the manifesto following a public participation. Public participation can be used as a political process that strengthens a sense of collaboration between the government and the people. BJP’s national president in the last month flagged off “Viksit Bharat Modi ki Guarantee” video vans, which are meant to travel across the country to collect people’s inputs on the contents of its manifesto. After drawing inputs from people, the election manifesto committee will arrive at the final version.
I thought this was a great approach to demonstrate a democratic approach of the present Modi Government in seeking votes. I thought of dismissing therefore the various allegations made by the opposition parties that are calling the present Government a dictatorial regime and people are living in the “climate of fear”. I really wished however the election manifestos by both the parties explicitly recognized committing actions to respond to “the fearsome climate change”. You will argue that outcomes of COPs do come up with actions (or rather promises). Unfortunately, everybody knows that these actions and promises will not be fulfilled just like the actions announced in the manifestos before the election.
Congress’s manifesto is proposed to be released on April 6, 2024, and will have a clear focus on employment and livelihood issues, anti-inflationary measures and social justice. The guarantee template will be back with nyuntam aay yojana (nyay) or the universal basic income guarantee. The party proposes to give ₹72,000 annually or ₹6,000 every month to 20 per cent of the poorest households if they come to power at the Centre. As the proposed manifesto significantly focuses women, the women of these poorest households will be entitled to the scheme. It is also likely to one-third reservation for women in government jobs. Other proposals include doubling of scholarship amounts at every level, setting up start-up funds, funding for sportspersons, as well as social security measures such as pension for gig economy workers. The party’s economic proposals include revamping the goods and services tax (GST) to provide a level playing field for micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs). And this list includes a relook at the powers of Central agencies such as the Enforcement Directorate (ED) and Income Tax (IT) departments. My readers, this commitment is indeed fully understandable.
Professor said that all this fine and something rather expected but not exciting or transformational. He lighted his cigar for a pause. He then wryly said “ But Dr Modak, Do election manifestos matter?
I was surprised by his question. India’s urban population as per 2022 is estimated to be 36% and even with this figure for 2024, around 100 crore people living in cities in India will have to face the political campaigns and rallies with multiple brochures dropped in the mailboxes. In rural areas, people will be interested to know about the promises made in manifesto and look for the freebees to vote accordingly. These freebees will be crafted carefully in the election manifestos in some disguise, one way or other, although are strictures issued by Supreme Court of India in the model (or moral) code. So of course, election manifestos do matter. I responded vehemently grabbing an Ethiopian coffee.
Professor only smiled (perhaps pitying my naivety).
Well, Professor, tell me if you were Prime Minister Narendra Modi or Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi, then what would you highlight in the manifesto? I am sure your suggestions will be biased to environment (and of course social and economic). I remember your talk at the India International Centre in New Delhi on “Don’t just promise growth in the GDP but a concomitant increase in the National Gross Ecological Product (GEP)”. (While I said this, I realized that there is a challenge in the operational definition of the GEP and getting credible data in place).
I also remember you wanted to redefine Goods and Service Tax (GST). You had argued that the goods and services that have negative environmental and social impact should be slapped with higher tax slab and those goods and services that help in improving the sustainability should be promoted with lower slab rate.
Professor said that such suggestions are best to be given in Seminars where officials from NITI Aayog are present and such kind of esoteric suggestions will not fit into items in the election manifestos. One cannot give a pledge that “we will be moving towards circular economy” as some may believe that the intent is to help conversion of black money to white money!
He puffed his cigar and said in all sarcasm that actions that matter include planting 10 million trees (of whatever kind), giving free water and electricity to poor urban dwellers, reducing air pollution in urban areas by at least 50% in first 3 years, waiving of outstanding loans to farmers, increasing reservations for women and the like.
“Professor, why don’t we ask that election manifestos must go through an environmental clearance or insist that manifestos must accompany with an environmental and social impact assessment” I thought to be even more sarcastic. Professor saw me giving a mischievous smile.
Professor said “Dr Modak, the big assumption we make is that we all are environmentally literate, sensitive and are interested to demand action and justice for the protection of environment. While a large number of voting population is affected by the state of environment today, the risks of its neglect on quality of life, safety, resource security and the livelihoods are not fully understood. So very few will care”
I think we were speaking a bit loudly as “heads” at the tables around us turned (especially one tall man and a fat man) and the antennas got switched. Of course this uncalled for attention didn’t bother us.
As we asked for the bill, the tall man sitting on the next table approached us and said “Hello guys, you made very interesting points. Why don’t you share your thoughts to the BJP who is looking for people inputs in building the election manifesto? BJPs AI engine will certainly spot your ideas”. Before I was to nod and request Professor to do so, the fat man who followed him said “But why don’t you yourself stand for election and become India’s Environment Minister”
We were shocked with this bold suggestion. We quietly finished our coffees.
While leaving the coffee shop, I whispered (but loud enough for the fact man to hear) “Oh, people like my Professor friend will never be given a seat by the political parties and neither he will ask for one).
Cover image taken from https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/non-negotiable-reforms-election-manifestos-advocata-institute-ydu9c/?trk=organization_guest_main-feed-card_feed-article-content
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We need Population control boards in every state. Nice article.