BJP releases 'populist' manifesto for Delhi

Full statehood for Delhi, review of Master Plan and controversial BRT corridor, ownership rights of residences in resettlement colonies and other issues are among promises made by BJP in its "populist" manifesto for Delhi assembly polls.

Full statehood for Delhi, review of Master Plan and controversial BRT corridor, Rs two crore for every acquired acre of land and ownership rights of residences in resettlement colonies were among promises made by BJP in its "populist" manifesto for Delhi assembly polls.

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Keeping in mind its ally Akali Dal's sentiments, the manifesto which was released on Tuesday also assured that all those guilty in the 1984 anti-Sikh riots will be brought to book besides promising that steps would be taken to provide relief to Afghan Sikh migrants.

Interestingly, BJP leaders V K Malhotra and Harsh Vardhan, who were vocal in raising the issue of delay in the execution of Parliament attack case convict Afzal Guru, did not mention the subject during the release of the manifesto.

However, there was a mention in the 32-page manifesto that the saffron party will ensure the "early implementation" of the court's verdict to hang Afzal.

Accusing the Congress of "completely ignoring" the demand for full statehood, Harsh Vardhan said, "the BJP will get the status of full statehood and rid Delhi of severe difficulties faced owing to multiplicity of authorities."

Another assurance was that of a review of the Master Plan in which the party promised removal of "anomalies" in the document by amending it "appropriately".

The Congress government's pet project BRT Corridor and agreement with private power companies are other major issues which will be reviewed by a BJP dispensation.

"The BRT has become a corridor of death. It is a project of foolish thought. Such a system is not there in cities like London, Paris, New York, Washington, Manchester or Sydney and we will conduct an objective review of the project," Malhotra said.