The Congress and the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) on Wednesday released their manifestos 14 days ahead of the Delhi Assembly polls while the BJP released its vision for the youth.
“We believe in making realistic promises. We don’t promise the moon, we will promise only those things which we can fulfil,” AICC Delhi in-charge Shakeel Ahmed said at the function to launch manifesto.
Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit said that even after building 46 fly-overs, Delhiites still face the problem of traffic jams, hence, “we are planning to build double-decker flyovers.” “We will ensure better living conditions for all sections including the migrants, around 4.5 lakh of them came to Delhi each year,” she said.
Dikshit emphasised the need to have a National Capital Region (NCR) economic zone which will have common taxation. “The NCR zone should become a service and industry hub for the whole of North India. We will work to make Delhi progress in the knowledge, skill and service sector industry,” said Dikshit.
Targeting women voters, Dikshit promised that that if voted to power, her government would build 20 public toilet blocks for women, which will be managed by women, in each of the 70 constituencies.
Dikshit said that Delhi’s GDP stands at 10.33 per cent for the last five years, which is highest in the country, and all efforts would be made to double it. She said that if elected, her government would construct homes for the poor in the same area where they are residing.
The ‘Bhagidari’ (partnership) program with resident welfare association (RWA) of Delhi would be further strengthened and their inputs would be sought in improving facilities provided by the state government.
The Congress promised to focus on women’s safety in cooperation with the police which comes under the Home Ministry.
BJP Vision Document
The BJP on Wednesday released its vision for the youth. “We will open at least 15 new colleges in Delhi and at least a university in association with a leading world university,” said BJP’s chief ministerial candidate Harshvardhan. The party will adopt a programme to create new jobs in Delhi. “Job opportunities would be created through formation of Delhi Women’s protection force (DWPC), an elite protection unit that will recruit 25,000 officers,” he said.
Lokpal, Self Rule
The AAP manifesto promised to pass the Delhi Jan Lokpal Bill within 15 days if it came to power. This would model the Lokayukta along the lines of the Jan Lokpal Bill.
One-fourth of the city is not connected to the sewage network and the AAP is committed to connecting all houses to the sewage network.
AAP’s first priority will be to ensure that every house in Delhi gets clean water, the manifesto said.
Clamping down on Delhi’s powerful tanker mafia and prosecuting the political leaders who protect and promote them will be AAP’s top priority if voted to power.
The Delhi Jal Board (DJB) will be restructured to clamp down on its rampant corruption.