From Free Power to Free Food: What Karnataka Parties Are Promising in Polls
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The assembly polls in the southern Indian state of Karnataka, home to 50 million people, will be held on May 10 for the 224 assembly constituencies. The result will be out on May 13.
As poll campaigning in Karnataka is reaching its final stage, political parties have launched their election manifestos to woo prospective voters.
The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), the top opposition party Congress, Janata Dal (Secular), and some other regional parties have declared their respective manifestos, formulated to win maximum seats for a majority.
These manifestos — a list of poll promises — are also seen as a reflection of political parties' ideologies and focus areas.
In general, manifestos address the issues of the people and promise to improve public welfare. Here is what all important parties have promised in their manifestos and key features.
What Congress Promises
On Tuesday, Congress launched its electoral manifestos, mainly focusing on women and younger voters. Party chief Mallikarjun Kharge, Karnataka Congress chief D.K. Shivakumar and former Karnataka state chief Siddaramaiah unveiled the manifesto, which they called: 'Sarva Janangada Shanthiya Thota' (Peaceful garden of all communities). The list of its promises involved:
To fill all the vacant sanctioned government posts within one year and ban organizations,
Consider the extension of the pension scheme to pensionable government employees who joined service since 2006
To constitute social harmony panels at panchayats (village level).
To provide an allowance of INR 5,000 to cops on night duty.
To repeal 'Anti-People' laws introduced by the BJP.
200 units of free power under the Gruha Jyothi initiative.
Anna Bhagya offers 10 kgs of food grain.
A sum of INR 3,000 for two years to unemployed graduates.
To introduce free travel for all women using Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC)
What BJP Promises
On Monday, the BJP released the party's vision document/manifesto with sixteen key promises, they have called it the 'Praja Pranalike' (people's manifesto).
Setting up a food canteen, 'Atal Aahara Kendra,' in every ward of every municipal corporation to provide affordable food.
Every underprivileged household will receive half a liter of Nandini milk daily.
Launching Visvesvaraya Vidya Yojana, under which the state government will collaborate with eminent individuals and institutions for the holistic improvement of government schools.
To launch the 'Samanvaya' scheme, which will drive collaboration between Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) and technical institutes and generate a dynamic ecosystem of education and employment for talented young professionals.
To strengthen the public healthcare infrastructure in the state through 'Mission Swasthya Karnataka' by establishing one Namma clinic (dispensary) equipped with diagnostic facilities.
The party said it would develop Bengaluru by executing a comprehensive, technology-led city development program centered around ease of life, cohesive transportation networks, and enabling ecosystems to make the city a global digital innovation hub.
The party wants to broaden the scope of the Production Linked Incentive Scheme by incorporating a comprehensive plan that encompasses logistics, industrial clusters, connectivity, and export facilities, generating a million manufacturing jobs 'Beyond Bengaluru'.
The party will implement the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) in Karnataka based on the recommendations given by a high-level committee to be constituted.
The party will provide three free cooking gas cylinders to all BPL families annually, one each during the months of Indian festivals -- Yugadi, Ganesh Chaturthi, and Deepavali.
