UP BJP readies civic poll manifesto

Lucknow: In a cleverly crafted strategy, the ruling BJP in Uttar Pradesh has decided to release an election manifesto for the upcoming municipal elections.

This will be the first time that any party will be releasing a manifesto for the municipal elections in UP. The decision has apparently been taken with an eye on the 2019 Lok Sabha elections.

According to BJP sources, the party will be releasing the main manifesto — Sankalp Patra, for overall urban development and the candidates will be asked to release a manifesto for their own constituencies too. The BJP manifesto will feature development works in sectors like health, education, sanitation, roads and employment.

The party has already started the exercise of identifying problems specific to urban areas where elections are to be held and concerned ministers have been asked to start preparing to solve the problems related to these areas. The state unit of the BJP is leaving no stone unturned to ensure the success of the strategy so that it can pave the way for the party’s success in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections.

Party leaders are aware that the upcoming municipal polls will be a key test for chief minister Yogi Adityanath and indicate if the BJP has managed to maintain its popularity level after the Assembly elections where the party had scored a three-fourth majority.

The release of manifesto for municipal elections, however, is being frowned upon by Opposition parties. “The BJP is making sure that there is no level playing field for all contestants. The party is in power and, therefore, in a position to fulfill its promises. The state election commission should intervene in the matter”, said SP MLC Sunil Singh Sajan.

Congress spokesman, DujendraTripathi said that the BJP was clearly trying to misuse its position by releasing a manifesto. “The BJP is starting new trends in politics”, he said.