Poll 98: National Parties: Manifestos [Pulp Fiction]

Never mind the cynicism. Never mind that even parties don't take their manifestos seriously. But if they really do what they claim they will, here's where we're headed.

If it weren't about such serious issues, it would be a joke. It's tragic, because it is. This time, as almost every other time. Devi Lal, former deputy prime minister and Haryana Lok Dal(R) chief, said he has helped write a dozen manifestos in his time, "all the same, with only the cover changed". Shankersinh Vaghela, former Gujarat chief minister, said openly on TV when asked about his party's manifesto, "What manifesto?" Shiv Sena chief Bal Thackeray dismisses them openly as being designed for journalists -- something to keep them employed.

Coalition politics and the spread of regional parties has made the exercise even more ludicrous. The United Front (UF) has its manifesto, but so do its constituent partners like the Janata Dal and the left parties. BJP ally AIADMK boss J. Jayalalitha trumpets her own party's regional ambitions. And the Congress, bereft of allies, is blatantly searching for Muslim votes, as blatantly as the BJP is trying to hold on to the Hindu vote.

So why bother, if words on paper have nothing to do with results on the ground? If positions are known to be very clear or completely fuzzy? Why take the electorate for a colossal ride if the ride is on anyway, without wasting tonnes of newsprint and days of TV airtime? If some candidates win because of who they are and not what they do?

Because, cynicism apart, manifestos do amount to something, do indicate a path, however narrow and rutted. And fortunately for the country, political parties do actually end up winning or losing a sizeable chunk of votes based on what they have to say -- or don't say. And what they say and don't do. It works for outright, different statements, on job reservations or religion, but also to simply compare similar stands on issues such as improving the economy or protecting the small-scale sector. "We often say broadly the same thing," says CPI(M) politburo member and ideologue Sitaram Yechuri, "but nuances are important. And they come out in manifestos."

What follows is a sampler of stands on key issues of the major national parties and groupings. What they say about things of general concern. And the likelihood of any of that coming through if the party comes to power.

HOW WILL LAW AND ORDER IMPROVE?

BJP: New arms for police. Accountability. Tackle illegal arms, drugs.
CONGRESS: "More effective, yet human; more powerful, yet sensitive."
UF: Reform Central, state police. Procedures more transparent.
Upshot: BJP most specific, but means little. Congress, UF totally vague. Good intentions always laid low, Scratch this one. What law? Whose orders?

WHERE WILL THE ECONOMY HEAD?

BJP: Pro swadeshi, agriculture, infrastructure, FDI in exports. JVs.
CONGRESS: Pro FDI, delicensing, open PSUs, agriculture becomes industry.
UF: Mainly says what's done, not what will be. Easy on loans, labour.
Upshot: Left slows UF. BJP liberal but local. Congress may slip. Anyway, domestic industry does need boost, but nobody can ignore FDI. Forget fast growth.

CAN WE DO ANYTHING ABOUT CORRUPTION?

BJP: Elected reps to declare assets within 90 days. Appoint Lok Pal.
CONGRESS: "All controls that breed corruption will be weeded out."
UF: Earlier reports to be examined, facts presented, guilty punished.
Upshot: Words. But there's realisation: reform cuts corruption. BJP clear on it. Ditto Congress, UF. Want results? Keep that 10 per cent handy.

WHAT HAPPENS TO RISING PRICES?

BJP: Get some sense in. Wheat, onion prices go up, cars, Tvs come down.
CONGRESS: Nothing directly. Nothing indirectly.
UF: Will "control inflation".
Upshot: Crunch time. Rising prices are a fact, all parties too glib or totally clueless. Start with a healthier, rational economy, then we might get somewhere.

WHAT WILL HAPPEN AT AYODHYA?

BJP: "Committed to facilitate" construction of Ram mandir.
CONGRESS: Abide by Supreme Court.
UF: Refer to the Supreme Court "on the basis of a consensus".
Upshot: If BJP wins, expect a real move; no waffling may mean more trouble. If others get there first, status quo. Either way, court or not, watch that space.

HOW WILL INDIA DEFEND ITSELF?

BJP: Go nuclear, develop missiles. Get tough in Kashmir, develop N-E.
CONGRESS: "Reverse decline" of quality and morale of armed forces.
UF: Forces need "immediate attention" for quality, morale.
Upshot: By limiting defence to staff sops, Congress and UF sound lame. Damp squib. BJP is ultra-tough, but transparent. The US will go nuts.

HOW WILL WOMEN BENEFIT?

BJP: Free education. Reservation in Parliament. Development bank.
CONGRESS: Provide credit. Target group in anti-poverty schemes.
UF: Reservation. Day-care centres for working mothers. Equal rights.
Upshot: Reservation likely. Success in credit. Bank idea a gem. Forget free education, day care, equal opportunity--you need a mind-set, no manifestos.

WHAT'S THE OUTLOOK ON MINORITIES?

BJP: "Appeasement of none". Seek consensus on Uniform Civil Code.
CONGRESS: Create ministry for minorities. Reject uniform personal law.
UF: Set up Urdu schools, more reservation for Dalit Christians.
Upshot: Old story: there isn't a middle ground. BJP straight but narrow. Congress blatantly out for votes, UF inviting trouble. Can we be Indian, please?

WHERE WILL INDIA LOOK IN FOREIGN POLICY?

BJP: Pump relations with all. Push permanent UN Security Council seat.
CONGRESS: Ditto, but not on UN seat. Harp on SAARC trade. Play cool.
UF: In the BJP's case, tougher stance with UN, Pakistan, Bangladesh. Congress and UF are waffling and will play safe and numb on everything.

WHAT WILL HAPPEN IN KASHMIR?

BJP: Scrap Article 370. Welcomes elected government, durable peace.
CONGRESS: Will fight terrorism "supported by Pakistan".
UF: Article 370 stays. Autonomy to Jammu and Ladakh under this too.
Upshot: Tell us something we don't know. Isolating Kashmir will add to alienation. Medium term write-off, publicised ski fest or not.

WHAT HAPPENS TO THE POOR AND JOBLESS?

BJP: Labour-intensive industries, involve private sector in NGOs.
CONGRESS: Parity, not charity. Programmes to be merged with JRY/IRDP.
UF: Foodgrain in every home, every Indian healthy and literate.
Upshot: Now we're talking, instead of imbecility with garibi hatao slogans. Long-term, but the way to go. All three score. Spread wealth, reap rewards.

HOW WILL CENTRE-STATE RELATIONSHIP IMPROVE?

BJP: Consult states before appointing governors, increase state's share of taxes, plan funds.
CONGRESS: Meetings more "business-like, better co-ordination".
UF: F-e-d-e-r-a-l-i-s-m.
Upshot: Things will move ahead, mostly positively. Governor's issue iffy-try it with rival party in state. As for the UF, it's already a state grouping, isn't it?