The Modi government must revoke all three of the black agricultural laws and listen to the voice of our Annadattas

Farmers of India

It is high time modi government learned that muscular tactics are no substitute to mature and deft diplomacy.

Foreign Policy

Neighbourhood Lost?

पड़ोसी खो दिया?

Ever shrinking employment opportunities has made joblessness an epidemic.

Jobs

Job Destruction

खत्म होती नौकरियां

It is the largest government-abetted money laundering scheme in history.

Demonetisation

Demonetisation: A Modi-Made Disaster

नोटबंदी : मोदी निर्मित त्रासदी

A  Perfect smokescreen to legalize theft from the government.

Not a Good and Simple Tax

अच्छा और सरल कर नहीं

Hum Adani Ke Hai Kaun: 100 questions to the Prime Minister (English)

Hum Adani Ke Hai Kaun: 100 questions to the Prime Minister (Hindi)

HAHK (Hum Adani Ke Hain Kaun) series: Today’s set of questions

Smt. Indira Gandhi's Broadcast over All India Radio on Mahatma Gandhi [New Delhi, October 1, 1968]

MAHATMA GANDHI

India's first and longest serving Prime Minister, Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, was a man of vision. Having participated in the long struggle for freedom from the British, Nehru, fondly called Pandit Nehru, a reference to his Kashmiri Pandit community roots, was a firm believer in nation building, as he understood that the young Indian nation had a tryst with destiny.

PANDIT JAWAHARLAL NEHRU

Vallabhbhai Jhaverbhai Patel, one of the six children of Jhaverbhai Patel and Ladba, was born in Nadiad, Gujarat. There is no record of his date of birth. The generally accepted date, October 31, 1875, of which the source is his Matriculation certificate, was chosen by Vallabhbhai himself while filling in a form.

SARDAR VALLABHBHAI PATEL

It takes courage to break free from the shackles of social inequality. It takes enormous amounts of courage to believe that things can change. It takes a leader to fight these inequalities and establish a new social order.

DR. B.R AMBEDKAR

Translation of a Hindi speech by Smt Indira Gandhi at a meeting to welcome the relics of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose, Delhi, December 17, 1967.

NETAJI SUBHASH CHANDRA BOSE

Pt Jawaharlal Nehru’s Speech in Lok Sabha on the death of Maulana Abul Kalam Azad, February 24, 1958)

MAULANA AZAD

Jagjivan Ram, popularly known as Babuji was a national leader, a freedom fighter, a crusader of social justice, a champion of depressed classes, an outstanding Parliamentarian, a true democrat, a distinguished Union Minister, an able administrator and an exceptionally gifted orator.

BABU JAGJIVAN RAM

Kumaraswami Kamaraj played a leading role in shaping India's destiny after the passing away of Jawaharlal Nehru in 1964, to the Congress split in 1969.

SHRI K. KAMRAJ

Tribute to Lal Bahadur Shastri  (From Tribute to the late Prime Minister, Shri Lal Bahadur Shastri, at an All-Party Memorial Meeting, New Delhi, January 11, 1967)

SHRI LAL BAHADUR SHASTRI 

Smt. Indira Gandhi saw herself as a latter day Joan of Arc—such was her ardour and faith in herself as a patriot. Like the "The Maid of Orléans", she too died as a martyr for the unity of her country. She had said before her tragic death: “Every drop of my blood will contribute to the growth of this nation and make it strong and dynamic.”

SMT. INDIRA GANDHI

At 41, Rajiv Gandhi was the youngest Prime Minister of India and perhaps one of the youngest elected heads of Government in the world. His mother, Indira Gandhi, was eight years older when she first became Prime Minister in 1966. His illustrious grandfather, Jawaharlal Nehru, was 58 when he started his 17 year long innings as free India’s first Prime Minister.

SHRI RAJIV GANDHI

Dr Manmohan Singh, India’s 14th Prime Minister, presided over a decade of phenomenal growth and development. Under Dr Singh’s stewardship, India witnessed the highest growth rate in its history, averaging at 7.7% to become a nearly two trillion-dollar economy. 

DR. MANMOHAN SINGH

The debates of Constituent Assembly-B. R. Ambedkar

बहस संविधान की-बाबा साहेब आंबेडकर

Debate of the Constitution- Dr. Rajendra Prasad

Desh Ki Dharohar में संविधान निर्माण की बहस में राजेंद्र बाबू का योगदान

The Debates and Discussion Which Made Our Constitution-1

बहस संविधान की-1

The Journey of the Constitution-3

यात्रा संविधान की: 3

The Journey of the Constitutions-2

यात्रा संविधान की-2

The journey of the Constitution

यात्रा संविधान की

Largest Security Force | Central Reserve Police Force

सबसे बड़ा बल: केंद्रीय रिजर्व पुलिस बल (CRPF)

Reserve Bank Of India

भारतीय रिजर्व बैंक

The First Step Towards Atomic Energy

परमाणु ऊर्जा की ओर पहला कदम

Handing Over Air India to the Nation

एयर इंडिया देश के हवाले

Temple of Modern India: Bhakra Nangal Dam

आधुनिक भारत का मंदिर:भाखड़ा नांगल बांध

The Voice of Workers-INTUC

मजदूरों की आवाज इंटक

The Assassination of Mahatma Gandhi Ji and Sardar Patel Ji's Strong Decision

गांधी जी की हत्या और सरदार पटेल का कड़ा फैसला

The March towards a modern India

आधुनिक भारत की ओर बढ़ते कदम

The Independence-IV | The Unification of India

आजादी-IV | भारत का एकीकरण

INDIA AT 70

India at 70

CREATING THE REPUBLIC

BUILDING AN EQUAL INDIA

BRINGING PROSPERITY

STRENGTHENING NATION

PROMOTING PEACE

On 28 December 1885, 72 social reformers, journalists and lawyers congregated for the first session of Indian National Congress at Gokuldas Tejpal Sanskrit College, Bombay.

First Session of the Congress: The Journey Begins

The second session of the Congress took place under the leadership of Dadabhai Naoroji in Calcutta. The number of delegates had increased to 434. Towards the end of the session, the Congress decided to set up Provincial Congress Committees across the country.

Second Session

In his presidential address, Pherozeshah Mehta said 'To my mind, a Parsi is a better and a truer Parsi, as a Mohammedan or a Hindu is a better and truer Mohammedan or Hindu, the more he is attached to the land which gave him birth, the more he is bound in brotherly relations and affection to all the children of the soil, the more he recognises the fraternity of all the native communities of the country".

Sixth Session

In the 1892 Parliamentary Elections in Britain, Dadabhai Naoroji was elected from the Finsbury Central seat as a candidate of the Liberal Party. He won despite a leading British politician chastising the public for "stooping so low as to vote for a brown man".

Dadabhai Naoroji becomes the first Asian to be elected to the British Parliament

At its Allahabad Session in 1892, the Congress criticised the Indian Councils Act of 1892, which had just been put into operation by the colonial government. They said that the Act did not give the Indian people the right to elect their own representatives.

Eighth Session

The Congress at its Eleventh Session was buoyed by a substantial increase in the number of delegates from 1163 in 1894 to 1584. An elated President Surendranath Banerjea congratulated the Congress for bringing together 'the scattered element of a vast and diversified population', and making them vibrate with the new born sentiment of an awakened nationality.

Eleventh Session

1885 - 1895

The Congress party has launched the MGNREGA Bachao Sangram, a nationwide movement to oppose the Modi government's assault on the world's largest social welfare programme, MGNREGA.

Its revocation, renaming and its subsequent replacement by the VB GRAM G Act is a direct attack on every poor worker in the country and on the ideals of Mahatma Gandhi – the inspiration behind the revolutionary scheme. Gandhiji represented the dignity of labour, local self-rule, and the moral responsibility of the state. Removing his name from the landmark scheme is a calculated attempt to erase his legacy and his vision for India.

Enacted by the Dr. Manmohan Singh-led Congress government in 2005, MGNREGA has, for two decades, been a lifeline for crores of rural families. Since 2006, MGNREGA has generated more than 180 crore person-days of work. 

During the COVID-19 pandemic, when the Modi government imposed an unplanned lockdown and left millions of workers hapless and forced to migrate, the scheme became the strongest safety net for their survival. It was then that MGNREGA provided work to 4.6 crore families.

Here's how the Modi government has demolished MGNREGA:

**Stealing their constitutional right to work:**

Under MGNREGA, the worker's family had a legal guarantee of a minimum of 100 days of work per year. MGNREGA was available in every village in India.

The new law takes away that right. Workers no longer have any legal guarantee to work. They work when the Modi government decides. Work will only be provided in villages chosen by the Modi government.

**Right to fair wages under attack:**

Workers could demand work throughout the year. They had a legal guarantee of a minimum wage. 

Under the new law, they will not get work during the harvest season. Their wages will be set arbitrarily by the Modi government.

**Attack on Panchayati Raj:**

MGNREGA facilitated Gram Panchayats to provide work on projects for the development of workers' Panchayats. They were helped by NREGA mates & Rozgar Sahayaks too.

However, under the VB GRAM G, where and what workers work on will be decided by the Modi government and its favourite contractors. Also, there is no provision for NREGA mates & Rozgar Sahayaks.

**State finances under attack:**

Earlier, the union government paid 90% of your wages under MGNREGA. The state government bore only 10% of the share in funding and, hence, would provide work without any difficulties.

The new law mandates state governments to pay 40% of the wages. To save costs, they may not provide work at all, or they might be forced to slash the funding on crucial sectors such as education and health.

Through the MGNREGA Bachao Sangram – beginning on 10 January and concluding on 25 February 2026 – the Congress party will take this fight to every village and corner in the country through panchayat-level chaupals, gram sabha resolutions, ward-level sit-ins, district-level press conferences & dharnas, symbolic protests, state-level Vidhan Sabha gheraos and zonal AICC MGNREGA Bachao Rallies.

**Our demands are clear:**

- Immediate restoration of MGNREGA
- Reinstate the constitutional right to work.
- Ensure the right to wages and the right to accountability.
- Ensure an all-India minimum wage of ₹400.

**This is not a political programme – it's a fight to save the rights, livelihood and future of every poor worker, farmer and labourer in India. The Congress party will fight to the end to ensure them justice!**

**To save MGNREGA, join us and raise your voice!✊**

**Visit** **https://www.mgnregabachao.in** 

MGNREGA Bachao Sangram – The Fight To Protect The Poor's Rights & Ensure Their Welfare

*Statement by CPP Chairperson Smt. Sonia Gandhi on MGNREGA (Transcript of a video statement)*

भाई और बहनों.. नमस्कार  

मुझे आज भी याद है, 20 साल पहले डॉ. मनमोहन सिंह जी प्रधानमंत्री थे, तब संसद में मनरेगा कानून आम राय से पास किया गया था। यह ऐसा क्रांतिकारी कदम था, जिसका फायदा करोड़ों ग्रामीण परिवारों को मिला था। खासतौर पर वंचित, शोषित, गरीब और अतिगरीब लोगों के लिए रोजी-रोटी का जरिया बना।

रोजगार के लिए अपनी माटी, अपना गांव, अपना घर-परिवार छोड़कर  पलायन करने पर रोक लगी। रोजगार का कानूनी हक़ दिया गया, साथ ही ग्राम पंचायतों को ताकत मिली। मनरेगा के जरिए महात्मा गांधी के ग्राम स्वराज के सपनों के भारत की ओर एक ठोस कदम उठाया गया।

पिछले 11 साल में मोदी सरकार ने ग्रामीण क्षेत्रों के बेरोजगार,गरीबों और वंचितों के हितों को नजरअंदाज कर मनरेगा को कमजोर करने की हर कोशिश की, जबकि कोविड के वक़्त ये गरीब वर्ग के लिए संजीवनी साबित हुआ। 

लेकिन बहुत अफसोस की बात है कि अभी हाल में सरकार ने मनरेगा पर बुलडोजर चला दिया। न सिर्फ महात्मा गांधी का नाम हटाया गया, बल्कि मनरेगा का रूप-स्वरुप बिना विचार-विमर्श किए, बिना किसी से सलाह-मशवरा किए, बिना विपक्ष को विश्वास में लिए मनमाने ढंग से बदल दिया गया।

अब किसको, कितना, कहां और किस तरह रोजगार मिलेगा,यह जमीनी हकीकत से दूर दिल्ली में बैठकर सरकार तय करेगी। 

कांग्रेस का मनरेगा को लाने और लागू करने में बड़ा योगदान था,लेकिन यह पार्टी से जुड़ा मामला कभी नहीं था। ये देशहित और जनहित से जुड़ी योजना थी। मोदी सरकार ने इस कानून को कमजोर करके देश के करोड़ों किसानों, श्रमिकों और भूमिहीन ग्रामीण वर्ग के गरीबों के हितों पर हमला किया है। 

इस हमले का मुकाबला करने के लिए हम सब तैयार हैं। 20 साल पहले अपने गरीब भाई-बहनों को रोजगार का अधिकार दिलवाने के लिए मैं भी लड़ी थी, आज भी इस काले कानून के खिलाफ लड़ने के लिए प्रतिबद्ध हूं। 

मेरे जैसे कांग्रेस के सभी नेता और लाखों कार्यकर्ता आपके साथ खड़े हैं। 

जय हिंद 

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Dear brothers and sisters,

I still remember, even today, that 20 years ago, when Dr. Manmohan Singh ji was the Prime Minister, the MGNREGA law was passed in Parliament by consensus. It was such a revolutionary step, the benefits of which reached crores of rural families. In particular, it became a source of livelihood for the deprived, the exploited, the poor, and the extremely poor.

The compulsion to migrate—leaving behind one’s village, one’s home, and one’s family for employment—came to a halt. A legal right to employment was provided, and along with that, Gram Panchayats were empowered. Through MGNREGA, a concrete step was taken towards the India of Mahatma Gandhi’s dream of Gram Swaraj.

In the last 11 years, the Modi government has ignored the interests of the unemployed, the poor, and the deprived in rural areas and has made every effort to weaken MGNREGA, even though during COVID it proved to be the only lifeline for the poor.

But it is a matter of great regret that, just recently, the government ran a bulldozer over MGNREGA. Not only was Mahatma Gandhi’s name removed, but the form and structure of MGNREGA were arbitrarily changed without any discussion, without consulting anyone, and without taking the Opposition into confidence.

Now, who will get how much employment, where, and in what manner will be decided by the government sitting in Delhi, far away from ground realities.

The Congress had a major role in bringing and implementing MGNREGA, but it was never a party-related matter. It was a scheme connected to the national interest and public interest. By weakening this law, the Modi government has attacked the interests of crores of farmers, labourers, and the poor, landless rural population of the country.

We are all ready to counter this attack. Twenty years ago, I too fought to secure the right to employment for our poor brothers and sisters; today as well, I am committed to fighting against this black law.

All Congress leaders like me, and lakhs of workers, stand with you.

Jai Hind


Right To Work Bulldozed By The Modi Government

On 9th December 2025, LoP in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi ji targeted the BJP and the Election Commission of India (EC) over vote chori, calling it the "biggest anti-national act". Indeed, when the BJP and EC together steal votes or commit electoral fraud, they don't just destroy democracy—they "destroy the idea of India itself.” 

Rahul ji didn't stop there. He pointed to the glaring anomalies in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise, such as duplicate photos, bogus entries and fake addresses. 

He asked three burning questions that sum up the entire vote chori "system":

**First:**

The removal of the Chief Justice of India from the selection panel of the Election Commissioner. The committee, which consists of the Prime Minister, a Union Cabinet Minister (HM Amit Shah) and the Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha, can hardly be fair. 

***Why was the CJI removed from the selection panel of the Election Commissioner?***

**Second:**

In December 2023, the Modi government changed a crucial law. They changed the law to make sure that no election commissioner could be punished for any action they take while they hold that position.

***Why did the PM give this tremendous gift that no prime minister has ever given before to the election commissioner?***

**Third:**

A law was brought to allow the Election Commission to destroy CCTV footage of a polling booth 45 days after the election.

***Why was the law with regard to CCTVs and the data that they contain changed?***

A week later, on 14th December, the Congress party launched a massive Vote Chor, Gaddi Chhod Mega Rally at the Ramlila Maidan in Delhi, where Rahul ji took the fight to the streets. 

At a gathering of tens of thousands of supporters and party leaders, he called the struggle one between 'truth' and 'power'. And when there is an oppressive, autocratic regime holding on to power through nothing but vote chori, the truth is sure to prevail!

Rahul Gandhi ji reminded the people of the vote chori incidents that came to light from across the nation—from Haryana and Bihar to Maharashtra and Karnataka. The BJP and the institutions it has hijacked are engaged in a centralised theft of votes and a systemic dismantling of democracy.

**But we will not yield!**

**We will keep exposing them!**

**We will keep fighting for the soul of our democracy!**

Rahul Gandhi’s clarion call against Vote Chori!

LoP Shri Rahul Gandhi has just dropped the explosive "H Files", exposing the massive Vote Chori carried out by the BJP, in collusion with the Election Commission, during the Haryana Elections of 2024.

The Congress party's preliminary investigation has revealed that this was not a booth-level fraud but rather a centralised and systematic network. The H Files reveal shocking evidence on fake voters, manipulated voter rolls, and forged addresses and photographs—even of those people residing nowhere close to India. 

Yes, the most brazen example of Vote Chori has come to light, wherein photos of a Brazilian model were used to create multiple fake voter IDs to allow someone to cast votes 22 times across 10 booths. 

The rot goes much deeper and beyond. Consider these examples from the Haryana voter list:

- One woman's photograph appeared 223 times in two booths.

- 1,24,177 blurred or fake photos.

- Thousands of BJP-linked people voting in both UP and Haryana.

- Even BJP leaders and their families showing up multiple times in the rolls.

- One BJP leader had 66 registered voters in his house, while another house had 501 voters living at a single address.

In a state with 2 crore voters, 25 lakh have turned out to be fake. This means one in every 8 voters is fake. Despite all these odds, the Congress party lost the election by a slim margin of just 22,779 votes.

This systematic fraud points to the same Vote Chori-Sarkaar Chori methodology, which was previously implemented in several constituencies across India, including in Aland (Karnataka), Mahadevapura (Maharashtra) and many more in Bihar and other regions.

And even as all these discrepancies and errors were surfacing, the Election Commission has chosen to look the other way and has instead given lame excuses to defend its failures. 

The truth is, the EC could easily remove the duplicate voters in the electoral rolls through the use of a simple software, but it has clearly chosen not to carry out its duty. And the reason is clear: the EC doesn't want fair and transparent elections so that it can freely aid its masters in the BJP.

The H Files are not mere records. They lay bare the master design that the BJP, in collusion with the EC, will use to steal elections, ultimately undermining Indian democracy.

People of India, it's time to stand up for your rights! We must come together in large numbers and exercise our voting rights in Bihar and every state that goes to the polls so that this large-scale and centralised scam against India's founding principles can be averted.

Together, we must uproot these Vote Chors from their illegitimate occupation and, in a united voice, cry out loud, "Vote Chor, Gaddi Chhodd!"

The H Files: Massive Vote Chori by EC and BJP in Haryana Using Photos of a Brazilian Model

Under the leadership of LoP Shri Rahul Gandhi, the Indian National Congress has launched the 'Vote Chor Gaddi Chhodd' campaign — a clarion call against the BJP and the Election Commission's shameless theft of people's votes through a systematic and organised attempt towards a nationwide siege of India's democracy.

From Bihar to Karnataka to Maharashtra, the truth of 'Vote Chori' is undeniable:

In Aland, Karnataka, 6018 voters were sought to be deleted through remote applications across the 254 Aland election booths.

In Mahadevapura, Bengaluru, over 1 lakh fake voters were found—with evidence of duplicate EPICs, forged photos, misuse of Form-6 and bulk registrations. In one instance, over 80 people were found to be living in a 10-15 sq. ft house.

Across Bangalore Central and the wider city, lakhs of duplicate entries and cross-constituency registrations were discovered.

In Bihar and several other states, fake addresses, non-existent households and hundreds crammed into a single place were found.

In the face of these shocking revelations, the EC has chosen to evade accountability and turn to complicity in this murder of democracy. Instead of following its constitutional mandate, the EC has become the BJP's enabler.

All this points to a centralised rigging of votes to keep the BJP in power because without 'vote chori', the BJP can't stay in power.

Our demand is clear: those who are looting the people's mandate have no right to stay in power. 

To the BJP and its partner in crime, the nation calls you out:

'Vote Chor Gaddi Chhodd!'

Vote Chor Gaddi Chhodd: Exposing the organised theft of people's mandate by the BJP in collusion with the EC

In memory of the former Prime Minister of India, the Congress Party launches the Dr. Manmohan Singh Fellows Program.

Dr. Manmohan Singh was one of India’s finest Prime Ministers. Specifically, it was under his leadership, first as the Finance Minister and later as the Prime Minister, that an entire new professional class of Indians came up and flourished. 

To celebrate and honour Dr. Manmohan Singh’s legacy and contributions to the nation, Praveen Chakravarty (Chairman of AIPC and Data Analytics), along with Pawan Khera (Chairman, Media & Publicity Dept.) and K. Raju, (AICC in-charge of Jharkhand; Head of OBC, SC ,ST & Minority Dept.) launched the Dr. Manmohan Singh Fellows Program, with consent from Dr. Singh’s family.

This is a program targeted at working class professionals that have a passion for public service and societal change. Lakhs of professionals with a strong sense of purpose and duty wishing to join politics often feel overawed, confused and intimidated. This Program will be the bridge for such professionals to transition to a career in politics in a smooth and structured manner. 

50 professionals from across the country will be chosen every year by an eminent panel through a carefully designed process. The chosen Fellows will be mentored by the top leadership of the Congress party, get opportunities to work on important assignments across the various departments, undergo intensive training and be placed on the path to political leadership of the Congress party and the nation.
 
More details about the Dr. Manmohan Singh Fellows Program and the application process can be found on https://mmsfellows.profcongress.in/

Dr. Manmohan Singh said ‘Politics is an instrument of purposeful social change’. The Congress Party is proud to provide the ‘Dr.Manmohan Singh Fellows’ platform for professionals to enter politics for purposeful social change and to build a modern, progressive, prosperous India.

**Website**: **https://mmsfellows.profcongress.in/** 

*Source: [AICC Press Release](https://inc.in/media/press-releases/launch-of-dr-manmohan-singh-fellows-program)*

In memory of the former Prime Minister of India, the Congress Party launches the Dr. Manmohan Singh Fellows Program

The Real State of the Economy 2025 report presents a critical assessment of India’s economic landscape, highlighting key challenges such as slowing GDP growth, rising unemployment, income inequality, and declining household savings. It delves into the manufacturing sector’s struggles, weakening welfare policies, and increasing crony capitalism, providing a data-backed analysis of economic mismanagement over the past decade.

The report offers a fact-based, comprehensive perspective on India’s economic trajectory, advocating for policies that ensure inclusive growth and economic justice.

Read the full report to uncover the true state of India's economy.

**[Click here to read English PDF](https://inc.in/media/press-releases/real-state-of-the-economy-english-2025)**

**[Click here to read Hindi PDF](https://inc.in/media/press-releases/real-state-of-the-economy-hindi-2025)**

Real State of the Economy 2025

Since the beginning of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections campaign, the Indian National Congress posed a set of issue-based questions to Narendra Modi to seek answers about his government’s disastrous record. For the past 10 years, Modi has run campaigns centred entirely on lies, distortions, fearmongering, and misinformation. In a span of 72 days, we have asked him 272 questions on the billion-broken promises and the billion betrayed hopes that lie strewn across the country after his ‘Dus Saal Anyay Kaal’. 

This report, which documents the complete failure of the Modi-led BJP government in every Indian state and district, is our attempt to re-centre the conversation on people’s issues.

***[Click Here](https://inc.in/media/press-releases/72-days-272-questions-0-jawaab)*** for our 272 questions for Mr Narendra Modi in English. 

***[Click Here](https://inc.in/media/press-releases/72-din-272-sawaal-0-jawaab)*** for our 272 questions for Mr Narendra Modi in Hindi.

72 days 272 Questions 0 Jawaab

At every stage of its 138-year journey, the Indian National Congress had identified itself with the problems, develop- ment, aspirations and hopes of all the people of India. During the freedom struggle, its foremost aim was to win freedom. It was guided by the wisdom and sacrifice of great leaders like Mahatma Gandhi. After independence, the Congress’ article of faith was the Constitution of India of which Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar was the prime architect.

Since 1947, the Congress has been India’s beacon of hope. Our policies brought about rapid industrialisation in a predominantly agrarian economy, transformed India from a famine-struck country to one that exports food grains to countries around the world, laid the scientific and technical foundations for India’s rise as a global software powerhouse, and built world class institutions in research and higher education whose graduates are seen as at par with the world’s best. Even as liberalisation and reforms caused economic growth to boom under successive Congress governments, our social welfare policies ensured that every citizen was able to participate in the India story. The social welfare net created by the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) such as the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) and the National Food Security Act ensured that India was able to absorb the shocks of the Global Financial Crisis (2008), the Taper Tantrum (2013), demonetisation (2016) and COVID-19 (2020).

Five years ago, on the eve of the Lok Sabha polls, the Congress had published a 54-page manifesto. Based on the record of the first term of the Modi government, we had forewarned the people of the precarious state of our polity and economy, and of the danger of re-electing the BJP/NDA government. Our assessment of the situation in the country has, alas, proved true. Many of the weaknesses and woes have deepened in the last five years. The promises and assurances that the Congress gave in its 2019 manifesto remain valid and doubly relevant today. Hence, we will start with endorsing our 2019 manifesto and urge you to read the statements here as part of this manifesto.

We may recall our forewarning

- We had said, “Youth have lost jobs”. The unemployment rate is 8 percent; among graduates the unemployment rate is over 40%.
- We had said, “Farmers have lost hope”. Farmers had to come on to the streets for 16 months to fight the three farm laws that would have made them tenant-farmers of corporate houses; and the farmers are back on the streets again.
- We had said, “Traders have lost business”. The Goods and Services Tax (GST) laws have squeezed exorbitant tax revenues out of lakhs of traders and constrained free trade.
- We had said, “Micro, small and medium enterprises have lost their confidence”. Lakhs of MSMEs have shut down and are no longer creators of jobs
- We had said, “Women have lost a sense of security”. Crimes against women have increased by 31 per cent between 2014 and 2022.
- We had said “Deprived communities have lost their economic rights”. Scheduled Castes (SC), Scheduled Tribes (ST) and Other Backward Classes (OBC) communities have been deprived of jobs because of the unfilled vacancies in government and other public institutions. Tribal people have been denied their rights under the Forest Rights Act.
- We had said, “Institutions have lost independence”. Every institution, including Constitutional bodies, has been undermined and, in some cases, forced to become subservient to the government.

Our greatest concern was the prevailing ‘climate of fear, intimidation and hatred’. In the last five years, every section of the people has lived in fear; laws and investigating agencies have been weaponised to intimidate people; and through its words and actions the BJP and its affiliates have spread hatred among people belonging to different religious, language and caste groups.

Today, the dangers that we had warned against have become a hard reality.

The economy is in a crisis. Despite the claim that India is the fastest growing large economy in the world, our growth rate has fallen from an average of 6.7 per cent (new series) during the UPA period of 2004-14 to an average of 5.9 per cent during 2014-24. As against the goal of doubling the economy (which the UPA did achieve), India’s GDP in real terms will rise from 100 lakh crore in 2013-14 to only 173 lakh crore in 2023-24, far short of the target.

The decline in the growth rate has serious consequences for the people, especially for those who belong to the poor and middle classes. The impact has fallen on per capita income, consumption of goods and services, and standard of living. Household net assets have declined, household liabilities have increased and families have borrowed more.

Inequality between the rich on the one hand and the poor and middle classes on the other have increased sharply dealing a body blow to the goals of equality, equity, and social and economic justice. A report titled “Income and Wealth Inequality in India, 1922-2023: The Rise of the Billionaire Raj” by leading global economists, including Thomas Piketty, shows that India under Prime Minister Narendra Modi is more unequal than even under the British Raj. The share of national income earned by India’s top 1 per cent is today at its highest historical levels and is among the highest globally. The rise of inequality has been particularly pronounced between 2014 and 2023.

The numbers of registered and active workers under MGNREGA and the fact that 80 crore people depend on free grain (5 kg per person per month) are definite indicators of widespread poverty. On the Global Hunger Index, India’s rank is 111 out of 125 countries.

The gravest danger is that India may no longer be a truly free and democratic republic. Democracy in India has been hollowed out and we are rapidly sliding to become a one-party and one-person dictatorship. The federal structure is under attack with the central government appropriating most of the central revenues, passing laws on subjects that were hitherto left to the state governments, and using its financial and executive powers to reduce states to municipalities. Governors of non-BJP-governed states are encouraged to paralyse the working of elected governments. Laws and investigating agencies are used to foist false cases against non-BJP leaders to force them to submit to the BJP’s will. The media has been rewarded or intimidated to become a vehicle of propaganda of the government.

Ask yourself two questions:

1. Is your life better today than what it was in 2014?
2. Is your mind without fear as dreamed by Rabindranath Tagore?

The choice is not Congress or BJP, but it is more than that. 

- The choice is Democratic government or Authoritarian rule
- Freedom or Fear
- Prosperity for All or Wealth for a Few 
- Justice or Injustice.

The 2024 general election presents an opportunity for radically changing the style and substance of gover- nance that has been in evidence in the past decade of Anyay Kaal. We appeal to you to look beyond religion, language and caste, choose wisely, and install a democratic government that will work for all the people of India. We appeal to you to vote for the INDIAN NATIONAL CONGRESS.

**[__Read the Manifesto__](https://manifesto.inc.in/)** 

INC MANIFESTO

**YUVA NYAY**, a comprehensive initiative, stands as a beacon of hope for the youth of India, promising to address crucial issues plaguing their aspirations and livelihoods. Let's delve into the pivotal aspects of this initiative

**1. BHARTI BHAROSA**

With an ambitious plan to generate 30 lakh new central government jobs, YUVA NYAY not only tackles unemployment but also instills confidence among the youth regarding their employment prospects. The promise of a structured calendar for these recruitments brings transparency and accessibility to the process, fostering trust in the Congress party's commitment to providing opportunities.

**2. PEHLI NAUKRI PAKKI**

Recognizing the importance of practical experience, YUVA NYAY introduces a groundbreaking scheme offering one-year apprenticeships to all educated youth. At Rs. 1 lakh per year, this initiative not only provides financial support but also equips young individuals with valuable skills and exposure crucial for their professional development.

**3. PAPER LEAK SE MUKTI**

Paper leaks have long been a hindrance to fair and merit-based selection processes. YUVA NYAY takes a decisive step towards eradicating this issue by enacting a stringent law to completely eliminate paper leaks. This ensures the integrity of examinations, fostering a level playing field for all aspirants.

**4. GIG ECONOMY MEIN SAMAJIK SURAKSHA**

The rise of the gig economy has brought about new challenges, particularly concerning the welfare of gig workers. YUVA NYAY acknowledges this reality and pledges to improve working conditions and provide social security measures for gig workers. This not only safeguards their rights but also ensures their economic stability and well-being.

**5. YUVA ROSHNI**

Empowering the entrepreneurial spirit among the youth, YUVA NYAY allocates a substantial Rs. 5,000 crore start-up fund. This fund serves as a catalyst for innovation and growth, enabling young entrepreneurs to realize their dreams and contribute to India's economic progress.

In essence, YUVA NYAY embodies the Congress party's unwavering commitment to nurturing the potential of India's youth, ensuring their meaningful participation in the nation's development journey. Through its multifaceted approach, it seeks to create a conducive environment where every young Indian can thrive and succeed.


YUVA NYAY

Press Briefing | Indian Youth Congress | AICC Office, New Delhi

Press briefing by Shri Pramod Tiwari in Kolkata | West Bengal

Press briefing by Ms Alka Lamba, Shri Rajendra Pal Gautam and Dr Anil JaiHind at AICC Office

Press briefing by Ms Supriya Shrinate in Kolkata | West Bengal

Press Briefing | Ms Divya Madernna | Assam

Press Briefing | Ms Ritu Chaudhary | Jharkhand

Press briefing by Shri Akhilesh Prasad Singh in Kolkata | West Bengal

Press Briefing | Ms Supriya Shrinate | Uttarakhand

Press Briefing | Ms Alka Lamba | Rajasthan

Press Briefing | Smt Rajani Patil | Gujarat

LoP (LS), Shri Rahul Gandhi, addressed the public in Hooghly | West Bengal

LoP (LS), Shri Rahul Gandhi, addressed the public in Kolkata | West Bengal

LoP (LS), Shri Rahul Gandhi, addressed the public in South 24 Parganas | West Bengal

LoP (LS), Shri Rahul Gandhi, addressed the public in Colachel | Tamil Nadu

The Congress-led UPA has always considered the safety and security of each and every citizen of the country with paramount importance. The ten years of UPA rule saw a considerable increase in expenditure on national security and defence, with an increase from 77,000 crore in 2004-05 to 1,93,407 crore in 2012-13.

कांग्रेस के नेतृत्व वाली यूपीए सरकार ने हमेशा देश के हर नागरिक की सुरक्षा और संरक्षा को सबसे जरुरी माना है। 10 साल के यूपीए शासनकाल में राष्ट्रीय सुरक्षा और रक्षा खर्च में काफी वृद्धि देखी गयी, 2004-05 में ये 77,000 करोड़ रुपये से बढ़कर 2012-13 तक 1,93,407 करोड़ रुपये हो गया।

NATIONAL SECURITY

यूपीए के समय समृद्धि

The rate of employment is directly proportional to a country’s development. A similar pattern was witnessed during the Congress-led UPA regimes, where the employment graph only went up during 2004-10, with both public and private sectors experiencing strong and sustained growth.

रोजगार की दर का सीधा संबंध देश के विकास से है। कांग्रेस के नेतृत्व वाली यूपीए सरकार के दौरान इसी तरह की प्रवृत्ति देखने को मिली, जब 2004-10 के दौरान रोजगार ग्राफ काफी बढ़ा और सार्वजनिक तथा निजी क्षेत्रों को ठोस और सतत विकास का अनुभव हुआ।

ECONOMY

The Congress-led UPA believes that the nation can't progress unless the farmer gets a fair price for his produce. The Minimum Support Price(MSP) for Wheat has been more than doubled, from Rs 640 per quintal in 2004-05 to Rs 1,285 in 2011-12. Similarly, the MSP for Paddy has been increased from Rs 560 in 2003-04 to Rs 1250 per quintal in 2011-12.

कांग्रेस के नेतृत्व वाली यूपीए सरकार का मानना है कि देश तब तक प्रगति नहीं कर सकता, जब तक कि किसान को उसकी उपज का सही दाम न मिले। गेहूं का न्यूनतम समर्थन मूल्य (एमएसपी) 2004-05 के 640 रुपये प्रति क्विंटल से बढ़ाकर 2011-12 तक दोगुने से ज्यादा 1,285 रुपये किया गया था। इसी तरह, 2003-04 में धान का एमएसपी 560 रुपये से बढ़ाकर 2011-12 तक 1250 रुपये प्रति क्विंटल किया गया था।

AGRICULTURE

The Indian National Congress has always placed a high premium on education. Both UPA I and UPA II continued with this intense and pro-active approach to achieve maximum coverage. The share of GDP allocated for education (primary, secondary and tertiary) saw an increase from 3.29 per cent in 2004-2005 to 3.83 per cent in 2012-13.

भारतीय राष्ट्रीय कांग्रेस ने हमेशा शिक्षा को उच्च प्राथमिकता पर रखा है। अधिकतम लोगों तक इसकी पहुंच के लिये यूपीए-1 और यूपीए-2 दोनों सरकारों ने गहन और सक्रिय दृष्टिकोण बनाये रखा। शिक्षा (प्राथमिक, माध्यमिक और विश्वविद्याल स्तर) के लिए आवंटित सकल घरेलू उत्पाद का हिस्सा 2004-2005 के 3.29 प्रतिशत से बढ़ाकर 2012-13 तक 3.83 प्रतिशत किया गया।

EDUCATION

It has been the Indian National Congress’s concerted effort to provide easy access to quality and affordable health care through government funded programmes. The share of public health expenditure to GDP of the country was doubled from a mere 0.13% in 2000-01 to 0.26% in 2010-11 respectively. For the year 2012-13, the Budget for healthcare was earmarked at a whopping Rs. 24,261 crore.

भारतीय राष्ट्रीय कांग्रेस ने सरकारी वित्त पोषित कार्यक्रमों के ज़रिये बेहतरीन और किफायती स्वास्थ्य देखभाल सेवाओं तक आसान पहुंच प्रदान करने का सदैव ठोस प्रयास किया है। देश के सकल घरेलू उत्पाद में सार्वजनिक स्वास्थ्य व्यय का हिस्सा 2000-01 के 0.13 प्रतिशत से बढ़ाकर 2010-11 तक 0.26 प्रतिशत किया गया। वर्ष 2012-13 में स्वास्थ्य देखभाल बजट के लिये 24,261 करोड़ रुपये की भारी-भरकम धनराशि आवंटित की गयी थी।

HEALTH

The Congress-led UPA government knew that the nation needed to develop significant infrastructural facilities to make India an economic giant. With this lofty goal in view, the expenditure share of infrastructure in GDP increased from 4.69% in 2004-05 to 8.41% in 2010-11.

कांग्रेस के नेतृत्व वाली यूपीए सरकार को पता था कि भारत को आर्थिक ताकत बनाने के लिए देश में महत्वपूर्ण बुनियादी सुविधाओं को विकसित करने की जरूरत है। इस विशाल लक्ष्य को हासिल करने के लिये सकल घरेलू उत्पाद में बुनियादी ढांचे के खर्च का हिस्सा 2004-05 के 4.69 प्रतिशत से बढ़ाकर 2010-11 तक 8.41 प्रतिशत किया गया।

INFRASTRUCTURE

The Congress-led UPA government has drafted and implemented with a missionary zeal, various social welfare schemes, and the results are there for all to see. 10 years of UPA rule witnessed considerable improvement in the percentage of expenditure on social sector. The share of GDP allocated for social expenditure went up from 5.41% in 2003-2004 to 6.80% in 2012-13.

कांग्रेस के नेतृत्व वाली यूपीए सरकार ने दृढ़ निश्चय के साथ विभिन्न सामाजिक कल्याण योजनाओं का प्रारुप तैयार किया और उन्हें लागू किया, इसके नतीजे सभी के सामने हैं। 10 वर्षों के यूपीए शासनकाल के दौरान सामाजिक क्षेत्र पर खर्च के प्रतिशत में काफी सुधार हुआ। सामाजिक व्यय के लिए आवंटित जीडीपी का हिस्सा 2003-2004 में 5.41 प्रतिशत से बढ़ाकर 2012-13 तक 6.80 प्रतिशत किया गया।

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