BJP manifesto: A re-run of old vows and blame-shifting

NEW DELHI, November 15: A list of past achievements and another list of future pro-mises. That makes up the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) man...

NEW DELHI, November 15: A list of past achievements and another list of future pro-mises. That makes up the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) manifesto for the November 25 Assembly elections in Delhi.

In the unusually thin and bland manifesto released by the BJP Delhi unit president Mange Ram Garg in the presence of two former chief ministers — Madan Lal Khurana and Sahib Singh Verma — and present CM Sushma Swaraj, the party re-runs old promises with a few add-ons. And it blames either the Congress or previous Central Governments for not fulfilling certain promises, including statehood and the metro service, given in its previous manifesto.

The BJP manifesto once again promises full statehood to Delhi and says the centre will bring forth a Bill to this effect as early as possible. It also charged the Congress with adopting an indifferent and callous attitude on this issue.

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The manifesto also talks of giving a push to the implementation of the national capital region plan for lessening the burden of population on the city. Like the Congress, the BJP also promises to make Delhi self-reliant and the best administered state in the country. For the minorities, the BJP promises the Muslims will get more educational institutions and vocational training institutes. The victims of 1984 riots who have not been given compensation will be be taken care of. The manifesto reiterates that the persons guilty for the 1984 riots will be punished and Punjabi will be given the second language status.

For the economically weaker sections, the BJP has charted out a provision of health insurance at government expense and essential commodities at subsidised rates. Potable water supply will be ensured in each jhuggi jhopri.

The manifesto has the customary mention of environment: strong and effective steps to curb pollution. Yamuna water will be purified and the Yamuna banks will be developed and beautified. Further, the process of relocation of industries will be intensified and completed at the earliest.

The manifesto also reminds the public that the last five years of BJP rule have been riot free. “Our target will be to make Delhi the best administered state in the country. That is our dream. We will work to meet the projected requirements of the people in the next 20 years,” Chief Minister Sushma Swaraj said after the manifesto was released by Delhi BJP chief Mange Ram Garg.

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For the first time BJP heavyweights Madan Lal Khurana and Sahib Singh Verma, who were at loggerheads over the leadership issue, shared a common platform after the killing of Ved Singh, Samata Party candidate from Nangloi Jat.

Senior party leader V K Malhotra said the BJP would go to the polls unitedly and highlight the performance of the government in the last five years.

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