Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma criticized the Congress' manifesto for the 2024 Lok Sabha Election, calling it "confusing" and claiming it has "no value." He suggested that the manifesto seemed more suited for Pakistan than for India. The Congress' manifesto, titled 'Nyay Patra', emphasized 'Paanch Nyay' or five pillars of justice, including 'Yuva Nyay', 'Naari Nyay', 'Kisaan Nyay', 'Shramik Nyay', and 'Hissedari Nyay'. It promised various reforms and freedoms, including job reservations for the Economic Weaker Section (EWS) and laws for the LGBTQIA+ community.
The BJP also criticized the Congress' manifesto, branding it a "bundle of lies." Prime Minister Narendra Modi compared the Congress' ideology to that of the Muslim League during the pre-Independence era. The verbal sparring between the two parties intensified as the Lok Sabha Elections 2024 approached. Voting is set to commence on April 19, with vote counting scheduled for June 4.
In response, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi defended the manifesto during a rally in Telangana, asserting that it could "change India." He described it as not just the party's manifesto but that of India's soul, crafted after listening to the people's aspirations. In the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, the BJP secured 303 seats out of 543, while the Congress won 52 seats.