As the Haryana Assembly elections draw closer, major political parties are intensifying their efforts to attract voters. Both the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the main opposition party, Congress, have released their election manifestos, which prominently feature commitments aimed at uplifting women, youth, and farmers, among other demographics.
The manifestos reveal a striking similarity in the promises made by the two parties, with the BJP outlining 20 election pledges, five of which align closely with those of the Congress. With Haryana’s unemployment rate at a staggering 37.4 percent, significantly higher than the national average, both parties are focusing their efforts on job creation for the youth. They have pledged to create two lakh government jobs, which will incur an estimated cost of nearly Rs 900 crores to the state treasury. Additionally, the BJP plans to offer five lakh job opportunities through various initiatives, including stipends under the national apprenticeship promotion scheme for the unemployed.
The two parties have also made substantial promises to assist women financially. Under its Lado Lakshmi Yojana, the BJP has committed to providing Rs 2,100 monthly to 78 lakh female voters aged between 18 and 60 years. In contrast, Congress has promised Rs 2,000 per month. If implemented, these schemes would require an annual expenditure of around Rs 20,000 crore.
Both parties are also advocating for subsidized LPG gas cylinders for homemakers, with Congress vowing to provide nearly 49 lakh women with cylinders at a cost of Rs 500 each. The BJP has made a similar commitment, with the implementation expected to cost approximately Rs 2,000 crore per year, necessitating a subsidy of Rs 334 per cylinder.
Social security for the elderly and differently-abled is another critical area of focus. Congress has promised a monthly pension of up to Rs 6,000, while the BJP plans to offer a dearness allowance and pension calculated through a scientific formula. Currently, about 35 lakh beneficiaries receive social security pensions in Haryana, with the BJP government previously providing Rs 3,000 monthly—a figure that Congress aims to double.
Housing initiatives for economically weaker sections also feature prominently in the manifestos. The BJP pledges to construct houses for five lakh individuals with an annual income below Rs 1.8 lakh, with an implementation cost of around Rs 1,400 crore. Meanwhile, Congress aims to provide plots and two-room houses to approximately 3.08 lakh people.
Healthcare promises are another vital aspect of the manifestos. The BJP has proposed free medical treatment for families up to Rs 10 lakh under the Chirayu Aayushman Yojana, extending free treatment up to Rs 7 lakh for senior family members over 70 years. Congress, on the other hand, has promised free medical treatment of up to Rs 25 lakh in its manifesto.
On agricultural issues, the BJP refrained from committing to a legal guarantee on minimum support prices (MSP) but assured farmers that MSP will continue for 24 crops, as announced just prior to the elections. The party has also promised leaseholders permanent land ownership. Congress, in its manifesto, pledges to legalize the MSP for farmers.
In addition to these commitments, the BJP’s manifesto includes two center-sponsored initiatives: the construction of the KMP orbital rail corridor and an extension of Vande Bharat train services, alongside improvements in metro rail connectivity between Faridabad and Gurugram.
As the BJP and Congress lay out their strategies for the upcoming elections, other parties like the Jannayak Janata Party (JJP) and the Indian National Lok Dal (INLD) are expected to release their manifestos in the coming days, further shaping the political landscape ahead of the polls.
