New Delhi, April 7 (IANS) Rural Development Minister Jairam Ramesh Monday termed the BJP as a "party of Kumbhkarnas" and said its election manifesto is a hastily prepared document which promises programmes already underway over the past 10 years.
"There are two or three other features of the manifesto which invite comment. Reading the party's manifesto it seems they are a party of 'Kumbakarnas' as they have promised schemes which are already underway over the last 10 years," Ramesh told media persons here.
"For example, they are talking about introducing pension scheme - a national social assistance programme and pension for aged, widow and disabled already exists," added Ramesh.
The minister also pointed out that the Bharatiya Janata Party is talking about implementing the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme, which was announced by the Congress government long time back.
"They are then talking about identifying 100 backward districts but those have already been identified and even granted funds," he said.
He claimed the BJP has not bothered to do its homework before preparing the manifesto.
"They are promising one rank, one pension. The scheme has already been announced. They are talking about multi-skilled mission, but it is already underway. They are speaking about low-cost houses. We have the Indira Awas Yojana for 20 years and Rajiv Awas Yojana for a couple of years," said Ramesh.
CPI leader Gurudas Dasgupta raised the point of Ram Mandir that the BJP has again promised to built.
"They have again come up with the slogan that Ram Mandir should be constructed, only with the intention of consolidating Hindu votes in the country," said Dasgupta.
CPI-M leader Prakash Karat said: "BJP manifesto is communal and divisive. It shows how dangerous the mix of Hindutva and corporate power could be."
Minister awaits panel report to seal Rafale deal
Bengaluru, Feb 18 (IANS) The defence ministry has cleared the air on buying the Rafale medium m
Cryptocurrency: The crypto market remains bullish, with Bitcoin up 2% while Ethereum is up 4%
The cryptocurrency market has been able to maintain its gains during the last 24 hours due to the
The country's manufacturing sector is recovering rapidly based on Make in India amid the worsenin
Five envoys present credentials to president
New Delhi, March 18 (IANS) Envoys of five countries including Maldives and Italy presented thei
Bollywood superstar Ranbir Kapoor is currently celebrating the success of his recently released f
new Delhi. Congress President Sonia Gandhi on Thursday claimed to have taken partial steps to dea
Karnataka: Guidelines issued regarding Diwali, only green crackers allowed to be sold
The Karnataka government on Saturday issued guidelines regarding Diwali. The state government has
Fashion no more a trivial pursuit: Manish Malhotra (Interview)
Mumbai, March 19 (IANS) The year 2015 is special for him as it marks his quarter century as a s
BJP 14, Congress 10 in Karnataka: Bangalore institute's exit poll
Bangalore, May 12 (IANS) A exit poll survey conducted by a city-based political research instit
Delhi News: Single girls will not be able to enter the historic Jama Masjid of Delhi. A copy of t
