From pressure cooker to free pension, SP manifesto released by Akhilesh Yadav high on populism

The manifesto announced distribution of laptops, Kanya Vidya Dhan, Samajwadi Pension, laying of Purvanchal Expressway among other steps

Akhilesh Yadav (File | PTI)

LUCKNOW: Uttar Pradesh chief minister Akhilesh Yadav on Sunday released the party's development-oriented manifesto full of populist schemes for the state assembly elections on Sunday.

From monthly pension of Rs 1000 for one crore people, free pressure cookers for women to free smartphones and wi-fi connections at schools and colleges, the manifesto has it all.

While SP headquarters was full of party workers and leaders, including national vice-president Kiranmoy Nanda, Speaker Mata Prasad Pandey and minister Azam Khan, party patriarch Mulayam Singh Yadav and former state unit chief Shivpal Yadav were conspicuous by their absence.

Azam, however, went to fetch the SP patriarch for his presence on the dais but he reached the party office only after the manifesto was released by the chief minister.

Akhilesh did not forget to express gratitude to his father Mulayam Singh Yadav. "I am here today because of the blessings of Netaji," he said and hoped that he would retain the power for another term.

The UP chief minister referred to various development schemes like pension scheme for women, Kanya vidya dhan yojana,
distribution of laptops and smartphones, Expressway projects, Metro project to buttress his claim and indicated these schemes would continue.

Akhilesh also exuded confidence that his party will sweep 300 of the 403 seats, up from 224 it had won in 2012. “If those 1.4 crore people, who have registered for smartphones, vote for us, we will get over 300 seats in the upcoming polls,” he pointed out. "We have constructed Agra Expressway which has reduced the travel time to half and it will be extended to Ghazipur if SP comes back to power," Akhilesh promised.

Reading out of his party's poll manifesto from the dais, the chief minister made a number of promises like setting up a Samajwadi Farmers Fund to help the community. In order to bring financial security, the chief minister said his party would commence a scheme that would provide Rs 1000 as monthly pension to over a crore people.

Focusing on kids, he promised one litre ghee and 1 kg powdered milk to be provided to poor students of primary schools every month besides also promising to improve the quality of education. The chief minister also announced distribution of free pressure cookers to poor women.

While announcing the schemes for minorities in the wake of SC order, the chief minister said if voted back to power, his government would create condusive atmosphere for Muslim people’s development and protect their right to religious practices.

Introduction of air ambulance, specialised veterinary ambulances, focussed development of carpet and handloom industry in the state are some of the highlights of the manifesto.

Akhilesh also targeted the BJP-led central government saying they had befooled people by sometimes handing them brooms and at other times tyring to indulge them in Yoga in the name of development. "The Central government promised Achche Din, but I want to know where those 'Achchhe din' exist," he asked.

SP manifesto at a glance:

1. Samajwadi Farmers Fund to be set up

2. Rs 1000 monthly pension to 1 crore people

3. Improvement in quality of education

4. 1 litre ghee and 1 kg powdered milk to poor primary school kids

5. Special scheme for daily wagers of unorganised sector

6. Free pressure cooker to poor women

7. More focus on skill development among minorities

8. Old age homes for senior citizens

9. Bus fare for women to be reduced to half and hostels for working women to be set up

10. More vocational training centres to be set up

11. Government to ensure adequate security and protection to trading community