Perfect disrupter: Rahul's' basic income promise may spell bad news for BJP

Even if 4-5 per cent of voters go in favour of the Congress, it will be a big disaster for the BJP, say experts

The main opposition Congress party’s promise to give sizable cash handouts to India’s poorest families if voted to power could re-energise its campaign to oust Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the general election starting in two weeks.

Modi’s ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has held the advantage in the run-up to the election, boosted by a wave of nationalism after military clashes with old rival Pakistan last month. Pollsters say Congress may have pegged back some of that advantage with its announcement, but it was not clear to what extent.

Bhawesh Jha, founder of CNX, one of India’s largest polling