Empowerment of women will be the key plank of Congress’ pledge in poll-bound Gujarat, where the party has remained out of power for over two decades.
Congress leaders ET spoke with, said the party has decided to keep women at the center of its strategy in the state with promises of free education for girls up to post-graduation, a home in the name of the lady of the house, free institutional deliveries and other healthcare benefits even in private hospitals for poor women.
The move comes after internal surveys showed that women voters could prove to be the swing factor in the state where the Congress last formed a government 24 years ago.
“The entire manifesto is being fashioned around happiness of a family as a unit,” said a senior Congress leader, who did not wish to be named. “What would a woman want for her family to make a dignified living – good education, affordable healthcare, proper nutrition, one job, minimum salary and own home.
We have put thought into this and are framing our manifesto with promises to address price rise, unemployment, affirmative action, housing, and education.”
Congress has promised to touch sector including healthcare, housing, education, employment, and nutrition.
This would result in the reduction of fee in all colleges and all study courses, more seats and new professional courses in government colleges will be instituted, one lakh more scholarships (of Rs 5,000 and Rs 10,000) for the economically backward and meritorious students, and a home registered in the name of the woman of the family.
The party surveys suggest that male voters of Gujarat are increasingly becoming inclined towards Congress. According to survey women still, favor the BJP. It founds the same trend amongst the Muslim women voters of Gujarat. In some constituencies, 30-35% of women voters are with the BJP and the percentage goes as high as 50% in some urban seats.
Can this Gujarat election bring ‘Bolt out of blue’ for Congress after 24 years of deportation from Gujarat?