Congress to release Lok Sabha manifesto Wednesday

The Congress will Wednesday release its manifesto for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, with the document reflecting the party's thrust on inclusive development, party spokesperson Abhishek Manu Singhvi said here Tuesday.

Congress president Sonia Gandhi, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and party vice president Rahul Gandhi will be present at the party office here to release the manifesto.

Rahul Gandhi has taken personal interest in framing the document by meeting a cross-section of people including porters, farmers and fishermen.

"The manifesto will be released tomorrow (Wednesday). It will be progressive and inclusive," Singhvi told media persons here.

Asked if the party had fulfilled the promises made in its previous manifesto, he said these had been done to a great degree.

Singhvi said the party has been releasing a report to the people every year which outlined welfare measures taken by the United Progressive Alliance government, including the steps taken to fulfill the party's manifesto.

Mahila Congress president Shobha Oza had earlier told IANS that the manifesto was likely to announce measures related to women's empowerment.

Sources said the party may also announce a scheme for expanding coverage of subsidised healthcare. They said there was likely to be a thrust on anti-corruption measures also.