PM Modi calls Congress manifesto a ‘dhakosala patra’ at Pasighat rally

A day after the Congress released its manifesto for the Lok Sabha election, Prime Minister Narendra Modi attacked the document at a rally in Pasighat, Arunachal Pradesh, on 3 April, saying it should be called a “dhakosala patra”, or a document of deceit, rather than a manifesto.

What Modi said

Speaking in Hindi, Modi said the manifesto was as corrupt and dishonest as the party itself. He described the election as a choice between trust and corruption, and between good intentions and conspiracy.

At his second rally in the state within a week, Modi recalled the Congress’s 2004 manifesto, which he said had promised electricity for every home by 2009. He claimed that around 18,000 houses still had no power by 2014.

He also accused the Congress of misleading farmers for votes, and said the BJP government had stood with them and built support for farmers from the seed stage to the market.

What the Congress promised

Congress president Rahul Gandhi released the manifesto on Tuesday, 2 April. It promised jobs, a separate budget for farmers, a single moderate rate of GST and Rs 72,000 a year for poor families, among other measures.

Sitharaman on AFSPA

Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman also criticised the manifesto on Wednesday, 3 April. At a press conference she said the Congress’s promise to amend the Armed Forces Special Powers Act was an attempt to weaken the military and dilute the protection given to the security forces.

What happened next

In the 2019 Lok Sabha election, counted on 23 May 2019, the BJP won 303 seats and the Congress 52. In the Arunachal Pradesh Assembly election held the same year, the BJP won 41 seats and Pema Khandu became Chief Minister.

Originally published on 3 April 2019. Rewritten on 9 October 2026.

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