Consistent with Congress, SP promises to eliminate Agnipath and provide MSP

The Samajwadi Party, which is running under the India bloc with the Congress in the Uttar Pradesh Lok Sabha polls, released its electoral platform on Wednesday.

The paper reiterated the promises made in the previously published Nyay Patra by the Congress, including conducting a caste-based census, abandoning the Agnipath plan, and securing a legal guarantee for the minimum support price regime.

The 20-page manifesto, titled “Janta Ka Maang Patra: Hamara Adhikar,” was unveiled in the Lucknow headquarters of the SP.

By 2025, a caste census would be carried out to fill open government positions for Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, and Backward Classes after the creation of the INDIA bloc government at the central level, according to SP president Akhilesh Yadav, who highlighted the manifesto.

“Regular recruiting in the armed services will be implemented, replacing the Agnipath military recruitment plan. By 2029, we will fully eradicate poverty, reinstate the previous pension plan, and guarantee that all societal segments are engaged in the private sector,” Akhilesh said. The Congress platform does not include OPS restoration.

The SP has assured farmers of a minimum support price guarantee under law, the cancellation of agricultural debts, free irrigation, the establishment of a farmers’ commission, and a pension of Rs 5,000 per month for small and marginal farmers who are landless.

The Congress is vying for 17 seats in the Lok Sabha, the TMC for one, and the SP for 62 of the 80 seats in Uttar Pradesh (Bhadohi).