Congress Confident Amid Challenges: Promises Free Electricity, Medical Aid in Haryana Poll Manifesto

Congress MP Kumari Shelja campaigns for Kalka candidate Pradeep Chaudhary ahead of Haryana assembly elections. The party released a manifesto promising free electricity, medical treatment, and financial assistance for women. State Congress chief Udai Bhan seeks action against anti-party rebels. Elections are scheduled for October 5.

Congress MP Kumari Shelja campaigned on Sunday for the party's candidate from the Kalka assembly seat, Pradeep Chaudhary, expressing confidence in his victory in the upcoming elections despite numerous challenges. 'Congress candidate from Kalka, Pradeep Chaudhary, has faced many challenges and always stood with the public. The BJP has constantly conspired against Congress leaders. I am confident that people will vote in large numbers for the Congress candidate,' Shelja told reporters.

Chaudhary, who previously defeated BJP candidate Latika Sharma by a 4.7 per cent vote margin in the 2019 Assembly polls, has once again received the party ticket. Ahead of the Haryana assembly polls, state Congress Chief Udai Bhan has called for stern action against nine party rebels who are either contesting against the party's official nominees or supporting candidates of other parties.

In a letter to AICC secretary and Haryana co-incharge Manoj Chauhan, Udai Bhan accused the rebels of engaging in 'anti-party activities' and recommended their expulsion. The list includes Sharda Rathore, Rohita Revri, Satbir Bhana, Rajkumar Valmiki, Kapoor Narwal, Virender Gogdia, Harsh Kumar, Lalit Nagar, and Satbir Ratera.

On Saturday, the Congress Party released its manifesto for the Haryana assembly elections, pledging free electricity up to 300 units, medical treatment up to Rs 25 lakhs for every family, financial assistance for women, a minimum support price guarantee for farmers, and a caste census. The manifesto mirrors similar schemes from Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra, offering Rs 2000 per month to women aged 18-60 and Rs 500 for gas cylinders.

Haryana will go to the polls on October 5 to elect a 90-member legislative assembly, with counting set for October 8. In the 2019 elections, the BJP emerged as the single-largest party with 40 seats, while Congress secured 30 seats.

(With inputs from agencies.)