Nirmala Sitharaman gives Congress its best campaign point for assembly elections
By K Raveendran
Rahul Gandhi and a host of Congress leaders have criticised Nirmala Sitharaman and the Modi government for copy-pasting from the Congress manifesto while formulating the new budget. Looking at the issue from another perspective, they must be happy that the finance minister has given Congress their best campaign point for the coming round of assembly elections. Haryana and Maharashtra are set to go to polls later this year, followed by Jharkhand and Delhi early next year.
Rahul Gandhi, expressing his dissatisfaction, stated, “The Modi government’s attempt to present our ideas as their own is an attempt to undermine our contributions. Instead of innovating, they are merely recycling our proposals.” The sentiment was echoed by other Congress leaders, who have criticized the government’s approach as indicative of a lack of original policy-making. They argue that the government’s reliance on Congress ideas highlights its inability to come up with its own solutions to pressing issues.
Former finance minister P Chidambaram was more specific. In his posts on X (formerly Twitter), Chidambaram highlighted how the Modi government directly borrowed from the Congress manifesto, specifically mentioning two key schemes. The first scheme is the Universal Health Coverage initiative, which aims to provide comprehensive healthcare services to all citizens. The second scheme is the National Employment Guarantee Program, designed to offer guaranteed employment opportunities and enhance job security for the Indian workforce. Nirmala Sitharaman announced a scheme under which the private sector would engage paid apprenticeship to youth.
While participating in the debate on the budget in the Lok Sabha, Chidambaram gave a call to the ruling party members to ‘delve deeper’ into the Congress manifesto, so that the government can take even more ideas. “Copying is not prohibited in this House; in fact, copying is encouraged and rewarded in this House. So, please copy a little more,” he added.
Rather than viewing the Modi government’s adoption of Congress ideas as a negative development, Chidambaram has framed it as a positive acknowledgment of the efficacy and relevance of Congress policies. This is something Congress build on for a key campaign in the assembly elections by using it as a validation of their policy framework rather than a cause for grievance. This pragmatic approach implies that Congress ideas are being recognized for their value and potential impact, which could be leveraged to enhance the party’s position.
Congress should embrace the adoption of their ideas as a victory, showcasing their ability to influence significant policy decisions even from the opposition benches. This could serve as a powerful campaign tool, demonstrating that Congress continues to shape national policy despite not being in power. To effectively capitalize on this opportunity, Congress should frame its campaign around the argument that if it could steer government policy from the opposition, the party’s potential to drive transformative change while in power would be exponentially greater. This argument not only highlights Congress’s current role in shaping policy but also paints a picture of a future where Congress’s vision could be implemented without compromise.
The party can craft a compelling campaign narrative by emphasizing that its ideas, once championed as visionary and forward-thinking, have now been validated and embraced by the BJP government as well. This narrative can be built around the premise that Congress’s proactive approach to critical issues has not only influenced current policy but has also been instrumental in redirecting the government’s focus to areas of urgent national concern.
By leveraging this narrative, Congress can position itself as a key driver of progress and reform, suggesting that its policies have already proven their worth and should now be fully implemented under Congress’s leadership. Furthermore, Congress should emphasize the contrast between its comprehensive and visionary plans and the Modi government’s piecemeal approach. While the government’s budget might have included elements of Congress’s proposals, it could be argued that these measures are insufficiently robust or lack the coherence that a full-fledged Congress administration could provide. By criticizing the Modi government’s implementation as inadequate, Congress can make a case for why only a Congress-led government can deliver on the promises that are now on the table.
For instance, Congress’s vision for employment generation might include not only job creation but also comprehensive skill development and support for entrepreneurship. By illustrating how these additional components would amplify the impact of the employment initiatives, Congress can argue that only their full policy framework can address the employment crisis effectively.
Similarly, Congress’s approach to healthcare could be presented as more holistic, integrating not just access to services but also measures to improve the quality and affordability of care. By contrasting this with the Modi government’s approach, Congress can highlight how their policies are designed to offer a more complete and equitable healthcare solution. This comparison will serve to reinforce the message that Congress has a more thorough and compassionate plan for addressing these critical issues.
In fact, the upcoming assembly elections present Congress with a pivotal moment. By effectively using the Modi government’s adoption of its policies as a campaign point, Congress can demonstrate its influence and viability as an alternative to the current administration. This strategy not only capitalizes on the party’s achievements but also sets the stage for a compelling vision of future governance. (IPA Service)