In its first detailed critique of the BJP manifesto — two days after it was released — Mr. Mukherjee noted that barring references to Ram Mandir, Ram Setu, cleaning the Ganges, cow protection and Article 370, it was a copy of the Congress manifesto. “In a perfect example of competitive populism, they have only inflated the figures without any basis whatsoever.”
Another empty promise, Mr. Mukherjee said was the commitment to implement the principle of one rank, one pension for the defence services. According to him, the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance government had set up a committee to look into this long-pending demand. This committee had concluded that the demand could be accepted because it would have severe repercussions and trigger similar demands from other services.
Further, the Congress pointed out, the BJP was in effect promising to do what has already been done by the United Progressive Alliance (UPA).
A case in point is the loan waiver. The UPA, Mr. Mukherjee said, had already implemented the Agricultural Debt Waiver and Debt Relief Scheme. Over 3.6 crore farmers had benefited from debt waivers of Rs. 65.3 thousand crore.
