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India's Congress party set to unveil election manifesto India's Congress party manifesto pledges 'growth for all'
(about 2 hours later)
India's governing Congress party is due to release its election manifesto as it campaigns for a return to power. India's governing Congress party has promised "inclusive growth" if it returns to power in general elections.
Media reports say the manifesto will address the problems of rising prices, corruption, security of women and the economic slowdown. Launching its election manifesto, it promises a raft of welfare schemes, including a right to healthcare for all and pensions for the aged and disabled.
Polling to elect a new parliament begins on 7 April and runs to 12 May. Votes will be counted on 16 May.Polling to elect a new parliament begins on 7 April and runs to 12 May. Votes will be counted on 16 May.
With some 814 million eligible voters, India's election will be the largest the world has seen.With some 814 million eligible voters, India's election will be the largest the world has seen.
Reports say that the Congress party manifesto may also promise quotas in private jobs and cheap health care for the most under-privileged groups. PM Manmohan Singh said the manifesto "spelt out a vision for inclusive growth".
It is also likely to promise more fast-track courts and all-women police stations to deal with crimes against women. One report said the party is likely to promise 70 new universities in the country. "Growth has many dimensions and I'm glad that the manifesto spells out our strategy for accelerated growth," he said.
"It is one of our promises that people's right to health will be ensured if the third Congress-led coalition government comes to power," party leader Rahul Gandhi told a rally in the north-eastern state of Tripura on Wednesday. Mr Singh said India needed more investment, jobs and increased spending in agriculture, education and health.
"We have ensured food security for all... Now we have to implement people's right to health," the Press Trust of India quoted him as saying. Congress leader Sonia Gandhi said the party had prepared the manifesto after "taking suggestions from people across the country".
The general elections will be held in nine phases over April and May. She said the elections were "not about good economic and social programmes - for the Congress it is a fight to keep the secular and constitutional fabric of India intact".
The election pits the governing Congress party-led coalition against the opposition BJP and its allies. The party has also adopted a new slogan Your Voice, Our Pledge for the elections.
They will be held in nine phases over April and May and pit the governing Congress party-led coalition against the opposition BJP and its allies.
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh is stepping down and Congress is being led by Rahul Gandhi, the latest member of India's influential Nehru-Gandhi dynasty.Prime Minister Manmohan Singh is stepping down and Congress is being led by Rahul Gandhi, the latest member of India's influential Nehru-Gandhi dynasty.
The BJP is being led by the charismatic and controversial Hindu nationalist leader, Narendra Modi.The BJP is being led by the charismatic and controversial Hindu nationalist leader, Narendra Modi.
Mr Modi, who is ahead in all the pre-poll surveys, is the leader of Gujarat state which witnessed one of India's worst anti-Muslim riots in 2002.Mr Modi, who is ahead in all the pre-poll surveys, is the leader of Gujarat state which witnessed one of India's worst anti-Muslim riots in 2002.