The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Sunday released its election manifesto, ‘sankalp patra,’ for local body polls and promised free Wi-fi, pink toilets for women, extension of Metro, AC buses and improved public grievance system. Reena Bhati is the BJP candidate for the Khoda Nagar Palika.The manifesto, the first of its kind by the BJP for civic polls, was launched at the party’s UP headquarters in Lucknow on Sunday.
To woo voters of 16 municipal corporations across the state, it comprises 28 points related to cleanliness, better streetlights, grant of Rs20,000 for construction of private toilets and shelter homes for stray animals, among others. “The manifesto includes various points for big cities and NCR cities. All points highlighted will be fulfilled and work is already going on for completing our promises in ‘sankalp patra’ rolled out before the assembly elections,” said Dr Chandra Mohan, spokesperson, UP BJP.
The party, to woo shopkeepers, also promised a separate place for weekly markets, Gps-fitted vehicles for door-to-door solid waste collection, tax deduction for freedom fighters and martyrs, metro extensions, deputing MBA graduates as executive officers of local bodies and management training for present officers.
“Election manifestos are always full of promises but successive governments have failed to address our localised issues. This is why RWAS and apartment owners’ associations have fielded their candidates for the polls this time. Instead of a wide range of topics covered in the manifesto, we need parties to highlight local issues that are pending for long,” said Anil Sharma, president of Ashisan Upvan AOA, Indirapuram.
“Most of our development agenda is on the lines of Delhi. Apart from fielding 83 candidates, we have also got support from nine independent candidates,” said Dr Sachin Sharma, district convener, AAP Ghaziabad unit.AAP’S manifesto comprises a host of promises such as waiver of house tax pending till October 31, 2017, free water, installation of water ATMS, mohalla clinics, women safety, public toilets and other civic amenities.
“A majority of candidates are not highly qualified. In fact, a local representative acts as a bridge between residents and government. In many cases, such representatives are unable to highlight issues and find it difficult to deal with officers. To improve their performance, the parties should also send qualified candidates for local body polls,” VK Mittal, president of Kaushambi apartment residents’ welfare association, said.
