BJP releases people's agenda' for Mumbai

Mumbai: A 24-hour water supply, pothole-free roads, stable property tax for five years and citizen smart cards for every Mumbaikar are some of the promises in the Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) manifesto for Mumbai, which chief minister Devendra Fadnavis released on Tuesday.

Printed on imitation stamp paper, the 17-page document does not overlook a single detail that could garner the party votes in the coming Brihanmumbai Municipal Council (BMC) elections. “It is the peoples’ agenda for the city. The BJP is promising them the fulfilment of their dreams and expectations,” said Mr Fadnavis.

Subtitled “Promise of transparent work, Mumbaikars with development”, the manifesto makes it clear that BJP has not abandoned its main plank, transparency, despite the Economic Survey recently terming the BMC the most transparent civic body in the country.

When told about the Sena’s jubilant reaction to the release of the survey, Mr Fadnavis taunted the party saying, “Let them enjoyed the degree they have achieved from the Economic Survey. I will give out the exact details of the survey in the coming days.”

The manifesto’s first page promises the appointment of a deputy lokayukta to address the grievances of citizens. “It is our most important promise to Mumbaikars. The BMC must be transparent, and citizens shall have right to complain against the civic body,” said Mr Fadnavis. In the transparency chapter, the BJP also promised criminal proceeding against cartels that sabotage the tendering process in various departments of the BMC.

Another important poll promise, where the party appears to be reaching out to last voter of city, is dedicating a sum of Rs 1,000 crore from the yearly budget for poor people who live in slums, gaothans and chawls. “No party has ever thought about a dedicated fund for the poor in the city. But BJP working with the vision of Modiji is planning administration to take to them through this fund,” said Mr Fadnavis.

The ruling party at the Centre and in the state has also promised an elevated corridor, the completion of the Metro till phase 7, building 250 km of elevated roads in the city, building the Mumbai Transharbour link, redevelopment of BDD and BIT chawls and rehabilitation of slums that come under CRZ areas, among other things.

Reacting bitterly to the BJP’s manifesto, Sena leader Anil Parab said, “The BJP is promising big just because it is in power in the state and at the Centre. It is promising things that the general public doesn’t understand easily. It is like khodaa pahaad, niklaa chuhaa (Much ado about nothing).”