Shiv Sena, BJP make separate poll promises

Mumbai: In the race to conquer the wealthiest civic body in the country, Shiv Sena and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) announced their poll promises on Thursday afternoon, separately. In a bid to win every opportunity to score over its rival, Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray announced tax exemption on housing property of 500 sq. ft., and free health facilities to the citizens who are left behind in state government schemes. Within an hour, BJP Mumbai president Ashish Shelar announced the same property tax exemption and said that the BJP would not levy water tax until the facility is available 24×7.

However, both the leaders conveniently dodged the questions related to the alliance. “In the last 20 years, we have performed well given the love of our Mumbaikars for us. Housing and health are two primary issues for the citizens. To bring relief to Mumbaikars, houses with area of 500 sq. ft. will be getting complete exemption from property tax, while houses with area of 700 sq. ft. will get tax concession,” Mr Thackeray said. In another major announcement, Mr Thackeray said that the citizens would get free health treatment.

Meanwhile, Mr Shelar said, “We have been working on our manifesto since the last 15 days. Property tax exemption for 500 sq. ft. is part of that manifesto. We have even said that the BMC should not levy road tax until all roads are repaired. The same is with water. The tax should not be imposed till it is available 24x7,” he said.

“We have built hospitals and also increased beds. Now we want the people who are left out in the government schemes to get free health treatments. The initiative will be implemented under the Shiv Sena Pramukh Balasaheb Thackeray Arogya Kavach,” he said. However, Mr Thackeray declined all questions related to the alliance with the BJP.