The Congress government, which has faced severe criticism for scaling down the powers of the Lokayukta institution by establishing the Anti-Corruption Bureau, appears to be making amends by promising to restore the powers of the anti-corruption ombudsman to initiate suo motu cases, if voted back to power.
This is one of the promises made by the Congress in its manifesto for the Legislative Assembly elections that was released by party president Rahul Gandhi here on Friday. Manifesto committee chairman M. Veerappa Moily confirmed to The Hindu that the party intended to restore the powers of the Lokayukta in its fight against corruption. “People would be happy,” he said.
The manifesto promised to enact a law to deal with vigilantism, cultural policing and communal instigation, which of late have been troubling societal health in the State. The party would strive to bring pendency in courts to a minimum of three years.
On the irrigation and drinking water front, the Congress promised to spend at least ₹1.25 lakh crore in the next five years even as it vowed to undertake mission-mode programme to rejuvenate 192 lakes in Bengaluru. Cauvery Phase V would be expedited to augment drinking water to supply in Bengaluru, Bengaluru Rural, and Ramanagaram districts.
With its primary focus on agriculture, the Congress promised to create an agricultural corridor from Chamarajanagar to Belagavi, covering 10 districts that can improve productivity, reduce production cost, use high-tech agricultural technologies, and boost organic farming.
The party also promised to set up a statutory Farmers’ Income Commission to ensure basic livelihood to farmers and agri-labourers. The Congress also aims to improve horticulture, dairy, sericulture, and plantation sectors.
Free education
On the eduction front, the Congress promised to offer free education in government schools till class 12 and set up a textbook formation committee. Autonomy to private educational institutions with several riders has also been promised. The Congress said it would strengthen the governance and management of the school education system.
‘Manifesto a reflection of people’s wishes’
Congress president Rahul Gandhi, who released the party’s election manifesto here on Friday, called it a “reflection of the wishes of the people of Karnataka” as it was drafted after extensive public consultation.
“On the other hand, the BJP’s manifesto would be decided by three to four people guided by the RSS. There would also be some amount of corruption and some ideas from the Reddy brothers,” he said.
While releasing the party manifesto, perhaps for the first time outside Bengaluru, Mr. Gandhi attempted to invoke Kannada pride. “Karnataka is the guiding force for the country,” he said, and added “Karnataka respects everyone”.
He said the Congress believes in and practises Basaveshwara’s ideology Nudidante nade (do as you say) and had delivered over 90% of the promises made during the 2013 elections. Taking a dig at Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Mr. Gandhi said it was easy to garland a Basaveshwara statue and pose for pictures. “The BJP and Mr. Modi failed to deliver their promises and instead indulged in corruption, including in the Rafale deal,” he said.
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said Karnataka’s best practices were appreciated by the Centre, including online market for agri products through APMCs, and agricultural produce marketing committees at taluk levels.
Mr. Moily said he along with committee members visited every part of the State eliciting feedback from a cross-sections of society. The committee worked for over six months to draft the manifesto in the present form. “Having brought out three literary epics, I should say this is my fourth epic,” Mr. Moily said.
Recognition of Congress loyalist Poojary
Senior Congress leader B. Janardhana Poojary, who was sidelined in the party following his frequent outbursts against Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, is back in limelight, thanks to Congress president Rahul Gandhi. A staunch loyalist of the Gandhi family and a prominent Billava leader, Mr. Poojary is being pampered as the Assembly elections come close. During the party manifesto release here on Friday, Mr. Poojary was not only asked to occupy the seat along with the party president, but also was given the first copy of the manifesto by Mr. Gandhi.
