Of manifesto, by manifesto and for manifesto The Congress is crying hoarse that BJP has not released its Manifesto as yet. How does it bother Congress? Does it want to lash at BJP on this or are they waiting to shape their polices or moderate their response accordingly, for they have nothing worthwhile to talk about? The first priority should be the Manifesto to be released well in advance, if the intentions of the parties are serious .Releasing at the fag end of the election campaign, shows the insignificance of this document .Any way Modi has been crying out loud and clear what they intend to do, Modi in fact is the Manifesto. It is best an academic ritual and an exercise in vain. It is not the Bible on which the parties swear upon and nobody can hold them accountable for non-fulfilment of the solemn promises. They say they can and later that they can`t. It is not easily available even on asking or for a fee, nor is it freely distributed to inform the electorate like more expenses goodies. It is appears to be secret only marked for the eyes of select few. The secrecy surrounding non availability is not difficult to fathom, as they can openly be questioned and challenged .It is not surprising that most of the time it is a mere repetition with few cosmetic changes by some armchair specialist of the party .Does any party openly invite participation and brain storming sessions even within the party at large?, Do the parties ever regret the keeping of certain sections of the manifesto in abeyance or permanently in limbo? Ever before or even now are debates held on the basis of this document? You will not be surprised that candidates themselves are unaware of details or care to study and propagate it One politicians had the audacity to state that it is the same substance widely spoken at meetings, only that it does not directly refer to the so called manifesto He retorted further stating how many actually read and are able to digest the complexities contained therein.
I for one have not been able to lay my hands on ny manifesto thus far, even out of curiosity from any party over the years. It is either not received or the stock in short supply, or it is exhausted and will be replenished after the election perhaps. Why are the parties loath about widely distributing the document for the voters to be informed? Someone needs to expose the shallowness of the se manifestos in terms of promises not delivered over the years, with same items religiously making their appearances year after year The parties in power have been unable during their tenure to deliver majority of the promises for one reason or the other and those waiting in wings promise the moon, if elected. The manifestos for all purposes are for archival records of the political parties Nelson Lopes Chinchinim