BJP manifesto to promise full statehood for Delhi

For improving the safety of women, BJP's manifesto talks of a women security force

Full statehood for Delhi, an integrated transport system and evening courts would be among the many promises in the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)’s manifesto for the Delhi Assembly elections set to be unveiled on Tuesday. The party is likely to claim it wants to focus on time-bound implementation, rather than announcing grand schemes.

Sources in the party told Business Standard the manifesto promised full statehood for Delhi, which would end multiplicity of agencies. Currently, powers such as law and order and urban development are, unlike other states, not under the jurisdiction of the Delhi government, but the Centre. In their manifestos, the Congress and the Aam Aadmi Party have made similar promises.

The BJP also wants co-terminus boundaries for the police and municipal districts. To ease transportation, the party has conceived an integrated transport system to cater to the National Capital Region, doing away with the hassle of changing certain modes of transport such as auto-rickshaws and buses that cannot operate outside Delhi.

To improve law and order, the BJP plans to introduce evening courts and set up a justice commission. A commission for senior citizens will also be set up.

BJP manifesto

Slash electricity bills by 30% per cent by ending monopoly of distributing companies, bringing them under RTI and CAG

Open evening courts and full statehood for Delhi to improve the law and order

An Integrated Transport System for the National Capital Region

A museum to display the cultural history of Delhi

Free bicycles for newspaper hawkers

For improving the safety of women, the manifesto talks of a women security force that would work directly under the chief minister. Also, a 24-hour call centre for women and more hostels for working women have been planned.

The party has decided to announce cutting power bills by 30 per cent, despite reservations in the party over its feasibility. This, the party plans to do by ending the monopoly of power distribution companies and bringing these under the Comptroller and Auditor General and the Right to Information Act. The manifesto also talks of making Delhi a ‘solar energy capital’.