LUCKNOW: Samajwadi Party (SP) unveiled on Wednesday its Lok Sabha election manifesto, calling it the party’s “Vision Document”, with special focus on its PDA (Pichhade, Dalits, and Alpsankhyak) pitch and a pledge to conduct a caste census by 2025 as well as introduce an “Urban Employment Guarantee Act” during Parliament’s first session after the polls if elected to office.
The Akhilesh Yadav-led party also vowed to implement 33% reservation for women in Parliament and assemblies within the next two years, along with doubling the budgetary allocation for education and health sectors. Akhilesh released the 20-page document, titled “Is Bar PDA Sarkar”, in the presence of senior party functionaries. It highlighted policies devoid of caste or religion-specific commitments.
SP echoed sentiments similar to its INDIA bloc partner Congress on several issues. A law to ensure MSP for all crops and milk, scrapping of Agnipath scheme, stopping privatisation of public sector and filling over 30 lakh vacancies in govt departments are some issues highlighted by both parties.
SP’s manifesto proposed a minimum wage of Rs 450 a day for labour in the unorganised sector, exceeding Congress’s pledge of Rs 400. But it remained silent on lifting the ceiling of 50% reservation for SCs, STs, and OBCs, and did not mention Congress’s promise of 10% reservation for economically weaker sections (EWS).
SP’s document emphasised filling all SC, ST, and OBC vacancies in govt departments and advocated for increased representation of women in the private sector. It also outlined relief measures for farmers, including farm loan waivers, free irrigation, and a monthly pension of Rs 5,000 for landless and small-time farmers owning up to 2.5 acre.
The Akhilesh Yadav-led party also vowed to implement 33% reservation for women in Parliament and assemblies within the next two years, along with doubling the budgetary allocation for education and health sectors. Akhilesh released the 20-page document, titled “Is Bar PDA Sarkar”, in the presence of senior party functionaries. It highlighted policies devoid of caste or religion-specific commitments.
SP echoed sentiments similar to its INDIA bloc partner Congress on several issues. A law to ensure MSP for all crops and milk, scrapping of Agnipath scheme, stopping privatisation of public sector and filling over 30 lakh vacancies in govt departments are some issues highlighted by both parties.
SP’s manifesto proposed a minimum wage of Rs 450 a day for labour in the unorganised sector, exceeding Congress’s pledge of Rs 400. But it remained silent on lifting the ceiling of 50% reservation for SCs, STs, and OBCs, and did not mention Congress’s promise of 10% reservation for economically weaker sections (EWS).
SP’s document emphasised filling all SC, ST, and OBC vacancies in govt departments and advocated for increased representation of women in the private sector. It also outlined relief measures for farmers, including farm loan waivers, free irrigation, and a monthly pension of Rs 5,000 for landless and small-time farmers owning up to 2.5 acre.
