Manifestos of BJP, Congress, JD(S), KJP released
Venugopalan
WITH the release of candidates as well as election manifestos by all parties, the poll battle in Karnataka has gained momentum. The BJP promised free laptops to students, 25 kg rice to poor families at Re 1 per kg and 50 per cent reservation to women in local bodies on April 19.
The Congress manifesto released on April 24 too carried the almost same promises of laptops, Re 1 per kg rice to BPL families. The JD (S) of HD Deve Gowda promised loan waiver for farmers, fishermen, handloom workers and skilled rural workers. Karnataka Janata Party (KJP) of BS Yeddyurappa also promised loan waiver for farmers and some special soaps to Muslims. The elections in the state are scheduled to be held on May 5 and counting of votes will be held on May 8.
The BJP manifesto was released in the presence of Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha Shri Arun Jaitley and prominent state leaders including Chief Minister Jagadish Shettar, state BJP chief Shri Prahllad Joshi and Shri Ananth Kumar. Hoping to repeat the 2008 performance and retain the power the party promised better waste management in the state, pure drinking water to all citizens, 24X7 uninterrupted power supply and a project to teach good and correct English in Kannada medium schools. Lessons on cultural nationalism and moral values are also part of promises held out in the field of education on which the party assured the people it would increase the spending from 1 per cent of GDP to 3 per cent. The party also promised eradication of child labour. Priority for Kannada medium students in higher education and employment, free Wi-Fi and internet for all schools and colleges, introduction of yoga as part of the syllabus in schools and colleges are among the other promises.
Shri Jaitely said the BJP succeeded in installing the party’s first-ever government in the South five years ago and “we have governed and completed full term taking up challenges for the cause of people.” He said whenever the party faced difficult challenges it stood by values and ideals rather than individuals. “Politically, we have emerged cleaner, stronger and more cohesive. We are now entering with the hope of another mandate to serve (the people),” he said.
The BJP also held big rallies across Karnataka giving the party’s campaign a new impetus. Senior party leaders including Shri LK Advani, Smt Sushma Swaraj and Shri Rajnath Singh joined the rallies. Shri Advani addressed meetings at Ranebennur and Davangere, Shri Rajnath Singh in Chikkodi and Shri M Venkaiah Naidu at Sindhanoor and Gangavathi, whereas Smt Sushma Swaraj addressed meeting at Bangalore. Shri Advani said the BJP would focus on development if voted to power again. He also said that the party would not tolerate corruption and was ready to make sacrifices to retain its clean image.
Karnataka Janata Party of former Chief Minister BS Yeddyurappa promised that the farmers above the age of 65 would be given monthly pension of Rs 500 and loans up to Rs one lakh by cooperatives to farmers, weavers and fishermen would be waived. The party said Rs 2,000 crore would be reserved in the budget for the development of Muslims and creation of basic amenities and self-employment for them. Christians would get a budget allocation of Rs 250 crore in the budget for their development.
Releasing the manifesto Union Defence Minister AK Antony said the party would make Kannada medium of instruction compulsory and teaching of English will be done as a subject from the first standard.
The JD (S) manifesto claimed that fertilizers will be provided to the farmer on subsidy. The party will provide Rs 500 per month to women farmers to get the seeds and fertilisers. It also promised to implement the pension scheme for farmers, handloom workers, fishermen and field workers. The party will provide village pregnant woman Rs 5000 per month to maintain the health of infant and mother, up to a period of 12 months.
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