Congress

Pitching its best tactics and strategies, the Congress party hopes high on the UP elections and the party powerhouse at the centre expect nothing less than its resurrection to power in the state. Leaving no stone unturned, the Congress party under the umbrella of the youngest Gandhi of the Nehru dynasty has opened the box of freebies in its 'Vision Document 2020' trying to woo the vast population of Dalits and Muslims. In its election manifesto for Uttar Pradesh, Congress offered sub-quota for the most backwards Dalits, backward Muslims and free power connections for the poor. It also offered 4.5 per cent reservation for the backward minorities, 50 per cent reservation for women at panchayat polls, women police stations in every district and marriage grant of 10,000 to the SC/ST girls. Congress also claimed that the party would bring metro rail in major cities, open 500 model schools across the state, create 20 lakh jobs, offered 3000 crore package for weavers and will initiate ‘madarsa modernisation programme’ for the Muslim community.