Delhi Municipal Elections: BJP releases manifesto; what does it promise?
BJP released a common manifesto for Delhi's three municipal corporations with a promise to make them "digital by default". Drawing on PM Narendra Modi's popularity, BJP vowed to build Modi's Dream Delhi, promising subsidized food and no new taxes in its "Sankalp Patra". Delhi BJP Chief Manoj Tiwari released the manifesto; Vinay Sahasrabuddhe, Harsh Vardhan, Vijay Goel, and Shyam Jaju were also present.
Citizen-centric services online
As part of the Centre's Digital India initiative, the municipal corporations will make available all the citizen-centric services online, according to BJP. Manoj Tiwari said, "The focus is on providing transparent and accountable governance. Everything should be available at the click of a button."
BJP to launch subsidized food scheme if voted to power
According to the manifesto, the municipal corporations would provide wholesome meals to the public at only Rs. 10, under Deen Dayal Antyodaya Rasoi scheme. The scheme is similar to the one launched in UP. West Delhi MP & Manifesto Committee Convener Parvesh Sahib Singh Verma said, "The idea is to ensure that people, especially the poor, get a proper meal at subsidized rates."
No new taxes
BJP has decided to levy no new tax; AAP earlier promised to waive property tax. For the polls to be held on 23 April, BJP promised to charge conversion tax for commercial units in residential areas just for ten years, replacing the current lifelong tax.
Other announcements made by BJP for improving Delhi
BJP said it had "done away with" the sanctioning of building plan for 105sqm plots but will now enable a similar provision for plots up to 500sqm. Several measures like constructing restrooms for sanitation workers, taxi auto stands with basic facilities and regularizing contractual sanitation workers were announced. Solar-energy plant, smart classes in schools, virtual medical consultancy, etc. were mentioned in the 27-page manifesto.
Most promises are a repeat of BJP's earlier promises
Several of BJP's promises are reportedly a repeat of its 2007 and 2012 poll promises, for instance, participatory governance, which was listed in its 2012 manifesto. The corporations under BJP had formed Resident Ward Committees (RWCs) in every ward, but the plan reportedly failed. Social security card for the poor, single-window clearance, improving drainage, regularizing weekly markets, etc are old promises BJP couldn't implement.
BJP attacks Congress and AAP
Former Delhi BJP Chief Satish Upadhyay, who was in the manifesto preparation team, said a few things have been repeated as "they are part of a continuous process of municipal functioning." He added they cannot shift the focus from such things. BJP, in its manifesto, attacked the Congress and AAP by listing various corruption cases of Congress-led government and corruption charges against AAP members.
Financial Condition of the municipal corporations
Delhi BJP Chief Manoj Tiwari admitted the financial condition of the municipal corporation isn't good. He said efforts will be made for ensuring the corporations get funds directly from the Centre, which can deduct the amount from the state government's fund. Tiwari added, "We will pressure the state government to release our dues and if need be we will take the matter to court."
