NEW DELHI: After crowdfunding, the Congress took to crowdsourcing for its 2019 Lok Sabha poll manifesto by launching a website on Monday to receive suggestions from the people.
Former finance minister and senior leader P Chidambaram leads a panel that wants to tap into India’s 400-million-plus internet user base for getting feedback.
“We want millions to participate...The Congress is listening to you...so that your aspirations are reflected in the party’s agenda,” Chidambaram said.
The people can submit their ideas in 16 languages, he said, adding that it was an attempt to come up with a people’s manifesto for the general elections.
“You should not go by ‘jumla’-like promises and tell the people what you will do if you come to power,” Chidambaram said, taking a dig at the Modi government without naming it.
The party also started a WhatsApp group and an e-mail to allow the people to submit their ideas for manifesto drafting.
Consultations for the manifesto have started, said the group’s convener Rajeev Gowda, adding about 150 such interactions would be made by December-end. The Congress Working Committee, then, will finally approve the draft manifesto.
Chidambaram said the Congress had started the exercise to draft its manifesto and it was not known, if there would be a joint agenda along with other Opposition parties before the polls or not.
“I am working on my party’s manifesto. I believe other parties would also be working on their manifestos,” he said.
The Congress has already formed various sub-groups to hold consultations on topics such as economy, foreign policy.