The Congress party in Rajasthan released its manifesto on Tuesday, promising, among other things, a caste-based census, a new scheme for panchayat recruitment, and the enactment of a law to implement the minimum support price for farmers in the state.
Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, chief minister Ashok Gehlot, and former deputy chief minister Sachin Pilot were among those who signed the ‘Jan Ghoshna Patra’ at the state party office here.
Following the Swaminathan Committee’s recommendations, the party stated that it is committed to enacting a specific law to implement the Minimum Support Price (MSP), known as the Minimum Support Price Guarantee Act. After enacting the RTE law, the manifesto promised farmers a Rs 2 lakh interest-free loan and free education in private institutions.
Chief Minister Gehlot, after releasing the manifesto, said that his government is aiming to achieve the number-one position in per capita income in the country.
“…The way in which we have managed the financial situation of Rajasthan, the people of Rajasthan will feel proud about it… The per capita income has increased by 46.48 per cent in Rajasthan. Till 2030, it is our dream to achieve the number-one position in per capita income. In 2020-21, the state GDP reached 19.50 which is the highest in the decade…” Gehlot spoke.
Of the 200 assembly seats in the state, 199 will be contested on November 25 as the elections in the Karanpur assembly constituency were adjourned after the Congress candidate from Karanpur, Gurmeet Singh Koonar, passed away due to sepsis. Koonar was the sitting MLA from Karanpur.
The BJP won 163 seats in the 2013 Legislative Assembly elections and formed the government in Rajasthan. In the 2018 assembly elections, the Congress won 99 seats, while the BJP won 73 seats in the 200-member House. Gehlot eventually took the oath as CM with the support of BSP MLAs and Independents.