Reaction to Congress manifesto 2014: Uninspiring 'hodge-podge'

The Indian National Congress announced its 2014 election manifesto today.

The manifesto was packed with economic ’to-dos'.

India Inc, however, was unimpressed by the Congress proposals. Talking toCNBC-TV18, Biocon chief Kiran Mazumdar Shaw slammed the manifesto: “There is nothing imaginative or earth shattering about this manifesto. It is very unconvincing that they can deliver on these numbers…it’s one thing to promise and another thing to deliver."

Echoing her sentiments was Dipen Mehta, BSE/NSE member, who said there was no reason to believe the party would fulfill its promises this time. “As for the markets, this is a non-event,” he added.

N Ram, chairman, The Hindu, agreed with Mazumdar Shaw and Mehta, terming the manifesto a ‘hodge podge.’

Mazumdar Shaw also expressed out about the proposal regarding SC/ST reservations in private sector, adding that she took strong exception to the provision. “That won’t augur well for economy…when you talk about job creation you have to talk about skill development and good education provisions,” she pointed out.

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The absence of any technology in addressing national problems like healthcare, education and basic life amenities was another of Mazumdar Shaw’s complaints.

“Look at the Aadhaar mess, the UPA has completely destroyed its value"she said. “It should have been properly leveraged for e-governance, e-healthcare and e-education.”

She also added that the manifesto provides no details on how the party plans to rein in subsidies, although reining in subsidies is one of the economic promises. “At this point, when we are challenged with low economic development, we have to focus on issues that will deliver good growth,” she said to CNBC-TV18.

Perhaps there is a need to temper expectations, said Sanjaya Baru, political analyst on CNBC-TV18. He noted that the Congress manifesto is not relevent since currently there is a strong anti-incumbency wave in India.