The Congress Manifesto: A Strategic Move Against BJP?

The Congress party released its election manifesto on Friday with a socio-economic caste-wise survey across the country, 50% women quota in central government jobs from 2025, old-age, widow women disabled pension increase by Rs.1000 etc topping the long list.
The Congress Party manifesto further promises to waive educational loans received till March 2024. GST Act brought by BJP will be replaced by a new busines friendly GST. Furthermore, the Congress party’s manifesto promises to give states the autonomy to conduct entrance exams, including NEET and QET, based on their discretion in what is seen as a significant departure from the current regime’s policy and as a mark of departure from rigid centralism.
Additionally, the party promises to restore fare concessions to senior citizens on trains, realizing the importance of supporting the elderly and has kept this promise.
In a bid to ease access to higher education, the Congress promises to provide education loans of up to Rs 7.5 lakh to students pursuing higher education. 
Also, the party has launched the Mahalakshmi scheme, which provides Rs 1 lakh per year to poor women. This targeted welfare program seeks to enhance the livelyhood of women and improve their over all social well-being.
Prior to the release of the Congress party manifesto in Tamil Nadu the INDIA Alliance led by the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam released its election manifesto last month. Among the important announcements, price reduction of petrol, diesel and cylinder price reduction, cancellation of NEET exam, and the recovery of Kachchadivu were announced which are seen as a strengthening INDIA Alliance.
With the two major allies aligned closely in their electoral promises, the stage is set for a showdown with the BJP alliance. In the comming days it would be interesting to see how the BJP counters this.