BJP manifesto skips mention of its pet promise of Vidarbha state

The document promises to connect every village with Wi-Fi, zero per cent interest loans to farmers and a minimum of 10 hours of electricity in rural Maharashtra.

The party has also promised statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji in Arabian Sea and B R Ambedkar’s memorial in Indu Mills in Mumbai.

“The BJP has always in-principle believed in the theory of smaller states. Our commitment to the development of Vidarbha is uncompromising,” state BJP president Devendra Fadnavis said.

Other promises include a safe and secure Maharashtra, industrial development, employment, infrastructure development, tribal welfare, environment, women empowerment and social justice, welfare of disabled people and senior citizens.

It also promises a new initiative called “investment destination Maharashtra”. Another ambitious initiative called “Make in Maharashtra” to boost the manufacturing sector in state also finds mention. The party has also promised to abolish the local body tax.

In agriculture sector, it also talks of establishing at least one school in each district to allow students to complete 10th and 12th standard exams with agriculture as the core-curriculum.

The manifesto was released by national BJP vice-president Vinay Sahastrabuddhe and senior party leader Madhav Bhandari at party’s state headquarters in Mumbai.

Interestingly, the Congress too had skipped any mention of a separate Vidarbha state in its manifesto.