1. The people of India elected the Sixth Lok Sabha in March, 1977. Within twenty-eight months of Janata Party Government at the Center fell. This is the first time that the Lok Sabha has had to be dissolved less than midway through its term. That such a mandate and massive majority should have come to naught, almost overnight, conclusively proves the Janata Party's flair for disintegration and its dubious distinction of inaugurating an era of instability and uncertainty at the Center. However, the dissolution of the Sixth Lok Sabha has brought relief and hope to an exasperated electorate, groaning under the insufferable mis-governance of the past two and a half years. The assumption of power by the Janata Party brought serious dander to our polity. For the first time in independent India North and South were split. The longer the Janata Party ruled on the basis of its mandate in the North, the more it alienated not only the South but also East and North-eastern India.

2. The People of India have now to address themselves to the arduous task of setting the country once again on the road to order stability and purposeful governance. The Indian National Congress - I invites them to respond to this grave challenge on the eve of this mid-term poll.

THE CONGRESS LEGACY

3. The Indian National Congress waged a historic struggle for independence and proceeded to build a new India based on the principles of democracy, secularism, socialism and non-alignment under the leadership and inspiration of Mahatma Gandhi and Jawaharlal Nehru. It gave the country a strong economic base, ranking eighth in the world and providing sinews of strength, which enabled the nation to face three military invasions and many other crises. Above all, the Congress gave durable political stability to the country and enabled it to make rapid all-round progress through planned and integrated development. Vigorous steps were taken to develop science and technology and the country today can take pride in possessing the world's third largest scientific and technological manpower. The Congress also promoted and strengthened national integration and combated communalism, linguistic fanaticism and regional parochialism.

JANATA PARTY MIS-RULE

4. All these assets were squandered away in just two and a half years of Janata Party misrule. The country was plunged into an enveloping crisis - economic, social and political. The process of weaving an integrated national structure from the strands of our diversity was not only halted but actually reversed. Law and order deteriorated disastrously. Atrocities against scheduled castes, scheduled tribes, minorities and other weaker sections increased greatly and kept mounting in ferocity. There were over two hundred and fifty reported communal riots. About 40,000 people were affected in Jamshedpur alone, not to mention similar widespread distress in Belchi, Agra, Marathwada, Villupuram, Kanpur, Muzaffarnagar, Aligarh, Pantnagar etc. The Christian Community also came in for attack recently. According to impartial observers, the main manipulator of these incidents was the R.S.S whose activists were inducted in large numbers in every branch of administration. The integrity of the country was threatened by the Janata Party's fanatical policies on sensitive issues like language, Center-State relations and the treatment meted out to Indian National who were deported from some areas and harassed on the false plea of being foreigners.

ECONOMY SHATTERED

5. When the Congress demitted office, it had left behind a strong industrial base, modern agriculture, a sound infrastructure for further development, a buffer stock of 20 million tones of food and sizeable foreign exchange reserves. Prices had been stabilised by 1975-76 and the tempo of industrial production was maintained at a high level. The Public Sector had also started yielding profits.

6. Despite all these valuable assets, the incoherent policies of the Janata Party Government have ruined the economy. Industrial production has slumped and the Public Sector is running at a loss. There is a steep fall in the production of steel, coal, cement, paper, power - infact in all essential commodities. For a country with a 2000 miles sea coast, even salt has gone into short supply, perhaps for the first time in history hardly any sector of industry is free from widespread unrest. The main pillar of our accepted industrial policy, i.e., keeping the Public Sector at commanding heights, was practically abandoned. Self-reliance has become the biggest casualty. The concept of planning was diluted with fanciful notions like the rolling plan.

INCREASED UNEMPLOYMENT

7. When the Janata Party assumed office, it promised to banish unemployment completely in 10 years. Ironically however, even the backlog of unemployment over the last two years had admittedly gone up by over a million.

PRICE HIKE

8. Worst of all, the prices of all essential commodities, both agricultural and non-agricultural, kept spiraling upwards. The farmer did not get remunerative prices for his produce, nor did the consumer get any relief from the bumper harvests of the past two years. Only middle-men profited enormously. Hoarding, profiteering and other trade and economic offences flourished because the offenders were fully backed by the top echelons of the Janata Party Government. 9. The gold auctions held some time back by the Janata Party Government were yet another glaring instance of the collusion of Government high-ups with vested interests to defraud the nation. The auctions did not bring stability in nation. The auctions did not bring stability in the price of gold, nor did they succeed in stopping smuggling of the metal. Only hoarders and smugglers profited by this ill-conceived measure, while the price of gold soared far beyond the reach of the average citizen. This was perhaps the parting gift of the Janata Party of the Indian housewife!

CONFUSION IN EDUCATION

10. The Janata Party Government created utter confusion in education. Attacking the 10+2+3 pattern, they undermined everything that had been done to improve the quality of education. Attempts to bring about equality of educational opportunity were undermined. Eventually, however, their government itself came to an abrupt end before they could spell out their educational policies. Allocations for several important areas of education viz. Universities, Higher Education and Technological Education were slashed drastically while very generous provisions made available to the RSS by making it the principal agency in tailored programmed of adult education. There was a perceptible spurt in RSS activity in many University campuses. Secular text-books were withdrawn and replaced by others with communal bias. Attempts were made to rewrite Indian History with a similar bias. .

NATION'S HEALTH IGNORED

11. In health and family planning, the record of the Janata Party Government is worse than dismal. Fads regarding the admixture of different systems of medicines at certain levels of the health personnel led to much avoidable controversy. No significant progress was seen in any item of health, preventive or curative. About the total fiasco in the programme of population control, the less said the better.

12. For millions of Indian children, the Janata Party Government did noting concrete in connection with the International Year of the Child. Not a single programme has been put on the ground. And to top it all, came the disgraceful revelation that the Children's Nutrition Programme, scanty as it was, became a fraud in many parts of the country.

VENDEETTA - SOLE CONCERN

13. In order to cover their all-round failure and in a bid to destroy the Congress and all it stands for, the Janata Party Government let loose unabated persecution on Congressmen, particularly on Smt. Indira Gandhi and her colleagues. The Central Home Ministry set up numerous Commissions which, after marathon enquiries found practically nothing against her. The Ministry also arrested her, only to receive an instant judicial rebuff by way of an order of a Nuremberg type of trial. But realizing that to be unconstitutional, Government hit upon the new device of Special Courts.

14. This extra-ordinary measure was sought to be justified by the excuse that a speedy trial cannot be had through the existing judicial machinery. The Supreme Court had, however, expressed exactly the contrary opinion on this point. One of the judges of the Supreme Court had even highlighted the danger of the Special Court degenerating into a contrivance for "handing down pre-arranged judgments to hand-picked accused put up before hand-picked judges." Yet the Janata party Government set up the Special Courts, creating a dangerous precedent open to gross misuse and arbitrary application. That the Party would stop short at nothing in its blind vendetta was demonstrated when by its majority, it expelled Smt. Indira Gandhi from the Lok Sabha and sent her to prison, flouting the verdict of the people who had elected her.

BUNGLING IN FOREIGN AFFAIRS

15. The great edifice of foreign policy shaped by Jawaharlal Nehru and pursued over three decades with vision and wisdom, was largely distorted and even reversed by the Janata Party Government. As a result, India's role in international affairs became ineffective and this great nation was relegated to the humiliating position of a non-entity.

16. The Janata Party Government claimed that it was pursuing genuine non-alignment and that it had improved India's relations with its neighbours. On the contrary, the Janata Party's 'genuineness' only drew it closer to the forces of new-colonialism and economic imperialism, while tending to the forces of new-colonialism and economic imperialism, while tending to alienate the sympathy and support of friends who had stood by us in need. Nor was there any real improvement in our relations with neighbouring countries.

17. Irresponsible statements made by the Janata Party Prime Minister (Shri Morarji Desai) on the liberation of Goa and the merger of Sikkim, on the abandoning of our sovereign right to use nuclear technology (including nuclear explosion) for peaceful purposes; the dubious deals made with some multi-nationals; the buying of Jaguar planes despite serious doubts regarding their suitability; and more recently, the utterly amateurish behaviour of our (new caretaker) External Affairs Minister and his delegation at the Commonwealth meet in Lusaka; their inept performance in Havana-all this and much more demonstrate the utter lack of grasp on the part of Janata Party leadership (of both factions) in the delicate field of international affairs.

HOTCH POTCH

18. The Janata Party never functioned as a homogenous political entity, composed as it was of widely disparate and irreconcilable constituents. Its Government was merely a coalition of convenience, bound by common desire to cling to power. However, both these factors, failed and inspite of utilizing its entire energy in a desperate attempt to hold together, the Janata Party did come apart in the most unedifying manner.

19. The disintegration of the Janata Party has proved conclusively that opportunistic coalitions cannot succeed in a country of India's dimensions and complexity. Now, the coalition that was the Janata Party has further split into two coalitions, each of which is even more heterogeneous and irreconcilable than the original Janata Party. One has only to note the public vituperation of the two factions against each other. No further comment is needed regarding the ability of these two improvised conglomerations to solve the country's problems. The situation has become still more curious and confusing when parties claiming to be leftist began shortsighted and unprincipled alliances with casteist and reactionary parties.

CONGRESS - THE NEW HOPE

20. It is difficult to cite a parallel of such subject failure within such a short period after such a big mandate from the people. No wonder, the common man, who is the victim, is now completely disillusioned with both the Janata and Lok Dal factions and is once again looking to the Congress to help him.

STRAINS IN THE CONGRESS

21. After the electoral reverses of 1977, the Congress found itself subjected to tremendous internal strains. However, when it was about to lose its identity and effective leadership, majority of the A.I.C.C. members assembled at a Convention at New Delhi on 1st and 2nd January, 1978 and various bye-elections. Their clear verdict was that the Congress-I alone could lead the country in the distinct direction of secularism, socialism and a just social order.

22. Some leaders continued to operate as a ramshackle party under the name and style of Indian National Congress (Called Congress-S), despite further repeated defeats (with many fore-features of security deposits). Their sole motivation was craze for power and they were at last rewarded with positions in Shri Charan Singh's Ministry. Their Party, however, has become utterly irrelevant to the people and after losing its identity under Shri Charan Singh's leadership, is fast disappearing from the political scene.

RARE ACHIEVEMENT

23. As is well-known, the Indian National Congress-I (so described by the Election Commission to distinguish it from others) under Smt. Indira Gandhi, functioned as an effective democratic opposition at the Center. It led many historic popular struggles, exposed the Janata Party time and again and attracted the masses as well as political workers in a manner reminiscent of the epic anti-British movement.

24. The experience of the past two and a half years has clearly demonstrated that only a stable and progressive Government with a clear majority in Parliament, with an indomitable political will, with a clear social-economic goal, with a definite programme coupled with the determination to implement it and with a leadership that has been tested in times of internal and external upheavals and pressures-only such a Government can fulfill the expectations and urgent needs of the masses and lift the country from out of the chaos created by the Janata Party and the Lok Dal Governments.

25. The Indian National Congress- I is the only party and Smt. Indira Gandhi is the only leader who can save the country, after its recent traumatic experience. No other Party and leader can be trusted to do so. The temporary setback that occurred in 1977 has proved disastrous; the country and the Congress have both realized the cost. The people, therefore, are back with the Congress with redoubled affection. The Congress (I) will never allenate that affection.

CHANGE WITH STABILITY

Congress-I will stem the all-round deterioration and drift resulting from the Janata Party's rule. It will set the country once again on the path of dynamic, meaningful and orderly social change, at the same time ensuring stability which has become a sine qua non at the present juncture.

SECULAR SOCIETY

Congress, being irrevocable committed to secularism, will take positive measures to build a secular society and to counter the trends of disharmony brought about by the policies and actions of the Janata Party Government. It will safeguard the rights of the minorities and ensure their effective participation in all spheres of national life, with full protection to their educational institutions as provided in the Constitution and full freedom of religious practice and cultural pursuit. For strengthening secularism, Congress-I will create a national consensus against political, cultural and social organizations which seek to undermine the basic character of the Indian polity or promote sectional, caste, community or religious interests to divide the working people and undermine the national will to secure a just economic and social order. The effective and timely control of communal disturbances shall rest squarely on the District administration and any failure on their part will promptly entail suitable action. Special measures will be taken to bring offenders to book speedily and deterrently. A special peace-keeping force will be created to prevent and suppress communal violence. It will be composed of people drawn from minority communities, Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes and others. A beginning will be made in the process of affording recompense to the victims of communal riots. Congress will strengthen and give statutory status to the Minorities Commission which the Janata Party Government deliberately rendered ineffective by a variety of devices. It was not allowed to function even with normal efficiency and its reports were kept in cold storage. Congress will examine the said reports at once and pursue expeditious action on all important recommendations. The Commission will also be charged with the responsibility of reviewing and reporting on the implementation of the constitutional safeguard given to the minorities.

So far as the economic condition of minorities, Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and other weaker sections of the Society is concerned, a thorough examination is needed to ascertain if the benefits of various fiscal policies of Governments, both Union and States, do really reach them. It is learnt that incentives, facilities and other encouragements, entitlements, like licences, quotas, loans etc. are not being fully availed of. A high power panel, including members belonging to minorities, Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes and weaker sections will be appointed to go into the whole question and make recommendations. The minority character of the Aligarh Muslim University will be assured.

Equitable employment opportunities to minorities will be ensured in Governments services, including the law and order and security personnel. The traditional arts and crafts in which some minority communities have acquired special expertise and which has become their main occupation in some areas, such as weaving; lock-making etc. will be revived and strengthened. We will not interfere with the personal law of the minorities. Immediate corrective steps will be taken to ensure proper management of Waqf properties by revamping existing legislation wherever necessary. It has always been the policy of the Congress to give adequate representation to minorities, including Muslims and Christians, both in the organizational and parliamentary wings. We feel that in every field of national activity as also in the affairs of the Government, the totality of the population should be properly and effectively reflected and represented in the interest of national integration. All derogatory references to religious leaders should be deleted from text - books.

LANGUAGES

All languages of India will receive equal encouragement for their speedy development as media of expression, education and administration. Intensified efforts will be made to introduce the latest innovations in printing and typewriting techniques in all languages at the earliest, so as to expand and speed up book production and literary propagation. There will be no imposition of Hindi in any form.

URDU

The Urdu language will be assured its legitimate status in consonance with its historical, social and literary significance. As already declared by the Congress, Urdu will be recognized in some States as a second language to be used for official purposes. It will be the endeavour of our party to continue to strive for the protection, preservation and promotion of this great language by providing facilities for the teaching of Urdu at all levels.

PROTECTION TO TRIBAL POPULATION

Congress will intensify and enlarge the programme to make the tribal population of the country self-reliant and to bring it the benefits of development and progress. Congress, however, will ensure that there is no interference with their traditional way of life and that their identity and culture are retained. Adequate measures will be taken to prevent their being uprooted from their original abodes in the North-Eastern and other States of India.

STRENGTHENING OF DEMOCRACY

The use of money power and physical intimidation by vested interests, particularly in some backward areas needs immediate remedial measures. The Janata party despite its tall promises, never addressed itself to these issues, and actually resorted to these very methods to gain undeserved electoral victories, further, in violation of its pious statements, it also induced defections, and itself become the victim of a massive defection recently. Congress will therefore take up these vital issues in right earnest and help in correcting the aberrations that have crept into our democratic process.

DEMOCRATIC DECENTRALISATION

Congress will strengthen the process of democratic decentralization so as to ensure the massive involvements of the people in political as well as social-economic activities beginning from the grass-root level. Removal of social evils such as dowry etc. will receive high priority.

ECONOMIC PROGRAMME

Congress reiterates its faith in, and determination to achieve, the objective of a socialist society adopted under Jawaharlal Nehru's leadership and enshrined in the Constitution of India under Smt. Indira Gandhi's leadership. Congress will rectify the distortion introduced by the Janata Party Government in the concept of planning and once again utilize the planning process to reorganize the national economy so as to establish a harmonious balance between various sectors and to ensure full utilization of human and material resources so as to enable involvement of the largest number of our people in economic activity free from exploitation. Congress will resuscitate the economy and put it back on the road to recovery and self-sustained growth. The emphasis on technological development which suffered a set-back during the Janata Party regime will receive renewed attention and support. Congress will make a two-pronged attack in respect of demand supply, in order to contain the two-digit inflation unleashed by the Janata Party Government. Conspicuous consumption will be controlled by appropriate fiscal measures and monetary management. A coordinated and effective programme will be drawn to boost the sagging levels of production by improving the investment climate and providing timely and adequate supplies of essential inputs. Full utilization of licenced capacity in all sectors will be ensured by insistence on drastic efficiency measures. Determined efforts will be made to remove transport bottlenecks, to improve the operating efficiency of power plants and to deal deterrently with smuggling, boarding and other economic offences. Recourse will be made on a cautious and selective basis to utilize our foreign exchange reserves for vital imports calculated to increase local production capacity and enhance export potential in the long run.

NATIONAL INCOMES POLICY

Congress proposes to formulate a broad national policy on incomes whose primary purpose will be to evolve acceptable relativity norms between different sectors and professions in their earnings structure, with a view to safeguarding the norms so determined from inflationary pressures as far as possible and maintain their inter se balance.

ENERGY POLICY

Acute shortage of power and energy has been witnessed under the Janata Rule. Our power plants are working much below their installed capacity, primarily due to inefficient management and shortages in supplies of coal for coal based thermal units. Congress is deeply concerned about this situation and promises to take very early steps to embark upon a plan to revamp and revitalize the operation of the power sector. On the broad energy front, a comprehensive National Policy on energy will be formulated to cover all available sources of energy, beginning from the conversion of organic wastes and production of bio-gas in the rural areas. Coal will remain a very important supplier of energy in India for a long time to come. Congress, however, believes that in the ultimate analysis we have to reduce dependence on non-renewable sources of energy, solar energy, wind power etc., depending on their economic feasibility. The programme for Rural Electrification will be pursued vigorously. Wastages in the utilization of energy will be carefully identified and a determined effort will be make to eliminate them.

TRANSPORT POLICY

The virtual chaos in the transport system has hit industrial production very hard under the Janata Party regime. Congress will attend to this matter and take steps to meet the pressing needs to modernization and expansion of railways, ports, airports, road transport, and other media of transport, including urban transport. Congress will frame a National Transport Policy for the country which will reorganize all the transport systems available in a well-integrated perspective ranging from the jet and electrification of rail traction to the modernization of the village bullock-cart for rural areas. Apart from adequate transport infrastructure, mass transit systems, backed by proper land use planning and control, will be encouraged, with due emphasis on para-transit systems, such as taxis, auto-rickshaws, scooters etc. Improvement in the design of both motorized and non-motorized rickshaws will receive immediate attention. Similarly, encouragement to dieselisation will be considered.

RESOURCE MOBILISATION

Congress is fully aware that the various programmes and schemes it has suggested will require investible resources. Congress has always believed in real resource planning, and not merely in financial planning. With the improvement in the country's food and foreign exchange position, the two most severe constraints on the country's relaxed. Congress will now attend to the crucial task of mobilizing the necessary quantum of domestic resources by adopting correct fiscal and monetary policies. Congress will revamp the operation of public undertakings to ensure that they generate necessary internal resources for development. Our system of direct and indirect taxation will be overhauled so as to mobilized to provide safe and profitable avenues for investment. Sources of tapped by introducing fresh financial innovations and incentives, so that people can get adequate and attractive return on their investments. At the same time, determined efforts will be made to eliminate wasteful public expenditure, so that the nation gets the best value for every rupee spent by the Government.