The party is planning to bring out a separate manifesto for each of the 30 districts of Karnataka, focussing on specific problems in those areas.
New Delhi: The Congress party is trying to emulate the Aam Aadmi Party model of manifesto preparation for the 12 May assembly polls in Karnataka.
Under this, the party is planning to bring out a separate manifesto for each of the 30 districts of the state, focussing on the work needed to be done in those areas.
Ahead of the 2013 Delhi assembly polls, the AAP had carried out consultations with residents of the 60 assembly constituencies in the city and released separate manifestos for these areas promising solutions to area-specific problems.
The Congress party’s manifesto preparation team led by senior leader Veerappa Moily has taken note of the demands coming from each district.
“Yes, we are planning to bring out 30 separate manifestos for each district in the state,” Moily told ThePrint.
In addition, there will be five more manifestos, Moily added.
These will be four region-wise manifestos that will focus on specific problems in those areas — Belagavi, Kalaburagi, Bengaluru and Mysuru — besides the work done by the Congress government and how to implement the promises.
Then, there will be a statewide manifesto explaining the schemes launched by the Congress government, their impact and what is left to be done. The party will also present a roadmap for Karnataka on how the Congress wants to develop the state going forward.
“The idea is that every voter should know what we promised for his/her area and accordingly see whether we are delivering on that promise or not,” Moily said.
The Congress is planning to release the manifestos in the third week of this month.
The main event will be held in Bengaluru where chief minister Siddaramaiah will release the main manifesto. Congress president Rahul Gandhi could also attend the even although it has not yet been confirmed by his office.
In addition, state leaders will be asked to release the other manifestos in their regions and constituencies.
In 2013, the party manifesto was launched by then defence minister A.K. Antony in Bengaluru. It promised Re 1 per kg of rice to BPL families, loan waiver to farmers and laptops for college students, among others. This year, the Congress will present what is going to be a report card on how many promises have been fulfilled.
The Congress had carried out a similar experiment ahead of the Gujarat elections last year. The manifesto preparation team under Sam Pitroda had met people from different regions in the state in order to get their views incorporated in the document. However, only one manifesto was brought out for the election.
The elections for all the 224 assembly constituencies in Karnataka are due on 12 May and results will be announced on 15 May.