Karnataka polls: BJP showers freebies on farmers

The BJP has promise free power to farmers, colour TV, rice at Rs two per kg for poor and cyber cafes at all villages.

Seeking to counter Congress' manifesto for Karnataka assembly polls, the BJP on Thursday came out with its own freebies, promising free power to farmers, colour TV, rice at Rs two per kg for poor and cyber cafes at all villages.

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Striving to secure a majority on its own after its first ever ministry failed to last more than a week with its former coalition partner JD(S) withdrawing support, the BJP manifesto promised to build a community hall with a colour TV set and a computer with internet connection to ensure benefits of IT reached not simply cyber capital Bangalore but also villages.

The Congress in its manifesto released earlier promised rice at Rs two per kg, loans for farmers at three per cent interest besides free colour TV sets.

The manifesto also brought in the stability plank to avoid dependence on JD(S). "JD(S) is for ever plotting to exploit any fractured verdict for its selfish political ends. The recent statements made by that party's leaders can only damage Karnataka's interests," it said.

It also appealed to the people to give the party a clear majority. "Give us an opportunity to make Karnataka a fully developed state."

The BJP manifestor also promised widening the ambit of Rs two per kg of rice scheme by saying it would recognise families with annual income upto Rs 30,000 as extremely poor and those with annual income above Rs 30,000 and upto Rs 60,000 as poor to make the package available to larger sections of poor people.