The Congress on Friday said the choice before the people this election was one between "freedom and fear" rather than between different political parties, as Rahul Gandhi described the contest as much closer than being projected by the media.

Asserting that Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s "400-plus" chant owed more to fear and doubt than to a realistic assessment of the ground reality, the Congress portrayed the Opposition combine as a formidable challenger that was poised to win.

The party issued an appeal to voters to save democracy, which it said had been "reduced to an empty shell".

The Congress manifesto, released on Friday, said: "People yearn to walk on the road of all-round development, equality, equity, freedom and justice."

Recalling the fate of the "India Shining" campaign of 2004, Rahul said: "This election is about those who are trying to destroy the Constitution and democracy versus those who are trying to protect democracy in the country.

"Modi is attacking the Constitution by capturing all institutions. We do believe it is very important that once this fight is won, we look after the interest of the vast majority of our people, that India is not run for two or three large business conglomerates, that we are not a nation of monopolies, we are a nation where there is fair competition among businesses. It is important to understand this election is fundamentally different; I don’t think democracy has been as much at risk as it is today."

The comments appeared an attempt to counter Modi’s constant posturing for psychological advantage, with all the talk about his vision for a third term that is centred on a robust economy and a stronger India.

Rahul outlined his own worldview, which accords priority to equality and justice and entails a decisive move against crony capitalism. In terms of tactical positioning, Rahul was telling people that the election was wide open and that they should brace for a change that would usher in a humane approach to governance.

Replying to another question, Rahul tried to drive the message home. “We have to understand what’s happening to India’s political structure, what’s the foundation of Modi’s strategy. Like Modi has ensured Adani’s monopoly, he has created a monopoly of political finance, too. He has done it by using ED, CBI and income tax.

“If you see the electoral bond scheme, it becomes clear Modi managed political funding through coercion, threats and extortion. After the election, this monopoly will be demolished because the electoral bonds have given us a full chargesheet. That’s why Modi is scared. That’s why he is harping on ‘400-plus’. He knows there will be trouble if BJP is restricted to 180 or less.”

The Congress leadership has been telling the nation that the warning it had sounded before the 2019 general election has come true, whether it’s about the polity or the economy, unemployment or the capture of institutions.

The manifesto echoed this: “Our greatest concern was the prevailing climate of fear, intimidation and hatred. In the last five years, every section of the people has lived in fear; laws and investigating agencies have been weaponised to intimidate people; and through its words and actions the BJP and its affiliates have spread hatred among people belonging to different religious, language and caste groups.”

Asking people to judge whether their lives were better today compared with 2014, the Congress set the theme for the electoral discourse: “The choice is not BJP or Congress. The choice is — democracy or autocracy? Freedom or fear? Prosperity for all or wealth for a few? Justice or injustice?”

That a manifesto in these modern times, and in a country dreaming of becoming a “vishwaguru”, had to promise basic freedoms to individuals is a reflection of the crisis the Indian republic is grappling with.

For example, the manifesto says: “Congress will ensure that, like every citizen, minorities have the freedom of choice of dress, food, language and personal laws.”

Another example: “We promise to ensure that the police, investigative and intelligence agencies will function strictly in accordance with law.”

The Congress has promised not to interfere in matters of personal choice such as whom to marry or whom to love. It has also promised to uphold the people’s right to assemble peacefully and form associations — a basic right that has been endangered over the past few years.