New Delhi, Jan 31 (IANS) The AAP Saturday released its manifesto for the Delhi assembly elections, promising full statehood for Delhi, increased focus on women's safety, making the city a trade and service hub to generate more jobs, and slashing the power tariffs and VAT rates.
The manifesto promised to set up 20 new colleges, provide clean drinking water at affordable prices and a free Wi-Fi zone, among others.
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) however dismissed the manifesto, saying it was wishful to make new promises when the Aam Aadmi Party had never managed to fulfil those made for the 2013 polls.
AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal, who released the manifesto, said it was a sacred document for his party akin to the "Gita, Bible, Quran, and Guru Granth Sahib".
Laying out a road map for creating more employment, the former chief minister said: "We wish to make Delhi a trade, tourist, education and service hub. This will help in generating more employment in the city."
This besides, passing Jan Lokpal and Swaraj bills would be a priority of the AAP government, he said. It was over the failure to introduce anti-graft bill in the assembly, that Kejriwal quit as the chief minister Feb 14, 2014.
Kejriwal said that his party would especially focus on safety of women in the capital.
"We want every woman to feel safe and secure. Over 10 lakh CCTV cameras will be installed across the capital. A security guard will be deployed in every government bus," Kejriwal said.
He also said that government auditor, Comptroller and Auditor General of India will audit the books of power companies."
"Our party has no interest with the power companies unlike other parties. We will restart the auditing of these power companies and the rates will be decided accordingly," he said.
Power tariff will be reduced by 50 percent, he added.
Kejriwal said the manifesto containing 70-point action plan would be implemented after coming to power as they had done in the earlier rule of 49 days.
He also said VAT (value added tax) will be reduced.
Taking a dig at the BJP for not coming out with a manifesto, Kejriwal said it was shying away from making any promises as they had not fulfilled any of the promises they made at the time of the 2014 Lok Sabha election.
The BJP has announced that it would abstain from releasing a manifesto for the Delhi polls and would instead come up with a "vision document".
Kejriwal contended that the BJP's claim that people of Delhi do not want full statehood was wrong.
On former IPS officer Kiran Bedi being projected as the BJP's chief ministerial candidate, Kejriwal said: "Though she (Bedi) won't win...If she wins, she will be reduced to puppet chief minister."
With regard to the Congress, Kejriwal said in its rule of 15 years, the party released three manifestos in which they had made tall claims, but sadly most of their promises were not realised.
BJP leader Nirmala Sitharaman, however, making light of the "non-suggestive" AAP manifesto said: "It is worth noticing that AAP has a new 70 point manifesto when they could not fulfil their last manifesto."
"Point 38 in AAP manifesto on free wifi is nothing new, the NDMC (New Delhi Municipal Council) is already working on it," she said.
"In their 49 days of rule, the people who consumed less than 200 units of electricity were also charged bill on higher rates," she said adding "AAP has spoken of reducing VAT in manifesto, whereas from April 1, GST (Goods and Service Tax) will take over... maybe they will blame the centre later."
Delhi goes to the poll Feb 7 and ballots will be counted Feb 10.
PM Modi Dehradun Visit: Disaster-affected people of Dharali became emotional after meeting the Prime Minister, narrating the painful story of the devastation
During the visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Uttarakhand, the disaster-affected villagers of Dharali village, who had come to meet him at the State Guest House of Jolly Grant Airport, became
26-year-old climate minister in Sweden: Romina has an important responsibility in the new government, has also led the party's youth wing
In Sweden's new coalition government, 26-year-old leader Romina Pormotari has been appointed climate minister. There is a lot of discussion about Romina being given an important ministry-like
Tamil Nadu: Three killed in floods in Tamil Nadu, NDRF busy in rescuing 800 passengers trapped in the train.
The southern districts of Tamil Nadu are facing a flood-like situation these days. It has been raining heavily in these districts for the last three days. Due to this many areas have been submerged.
Seven Akharas together elected Shri Mahant Ravindra Puri and Shri Mahant Rajendra Das as President and General Secretary of All India Akhara Parishad.
Under the leadership of Sanyasi Akhara Mahanirvani Akhara, the three Bairagi Ani, Bada Akhara indifferent and Nirmal Akhara, in the meeting held in Mahanirvani Akhara, the secretary of Mahanirvani
Bihar elections: Will the anger of farmers outweigh the NDA?
Blue tractor, RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav on the driver's seat, elder brother Tej Pratap sitting side by side on the roof on the tractor, and a shovel in the side.
Amazon's biggest phone deal, this phone worth Rs 33,999 is available in a special sale for less than Rs 20,000.
Amazon Sale On Mobile: Best phone deal with a 5G network is available on Amazon. In the sale, Xiaomi 11 Lite NE 5G phone, which costs Rs 33,999, is available for less than Rs 20,000. The phone has
Shaktikant Das: RBI Governor said on the fall of rupee, we are adopting the policy of zero tolerance
Reserve Bank Governor Shaktikanta Das said on Friday that despite the fall, the rupee remains stable in comparison to the currency of many developed countries of the world. At the same time, he has
Himachal faces many challenges: Governor
New Delhi, Feb 11 (IANS) Himachal Pradesh Governor Kalyan Singh Wednesday said many factors posed challenges for the state, including sharing borders with China, militant activities in
Future belongs to Digital Media, says Jaitley (Lead)
New Delhi, Feb 2 (IANS) The future of communication belongs to digital media due to its reach, variety and accessibility and officials dealing with information dissemination must package data and
Rahul Gandhi spoke for the first time on marriage: Told what kind of girl is needed, what qualities should she have
The question of marriage came up during Rahul Gandhi's Bharat Jodo Yatra. The answer was very interesting. Rahul was talking about his grandmother Indira Gandhi during the visit. He said- Indira
