Two days after AAP released its vision document for the MC polls, the BJP today released its manifesto for the upcoming Jalandhar elections on Monday.
Alleging that the Congress' tenure was rife with corruption, BJP leaders said the probe into the smart city scam is unlikely to yield results now as the Congress leaders who perpetrated the scam have joined the AAP . AAP protected the perpetrators of the scam.
The key promises in the BJP's 11-point manifesto titled 'Jalandhar da vishwas, jitthe Modi otthe vikas' included cleaning of sewage lines in Jalandhar, removal of overhanging power lines and replacing them with underground lines, street lighting, road safety and strict avoidance of fogging diseases, cleaning drains, clean drinking water, providing rainwater harvesting projects, environmental protection, etc.
Addressing a press conference, BJP leader KD Bhandari blamed the previous tenure of the Congress and its leaders for the poor condition of public facilities in the city. Bhandari was accompanied by leaders Ashok Sarin, Amarjit Singh Sarna, Rajesh Kapoor and Amit Bhatia.
Bhandari said, “Including the former mayor, key Congress leaders and councilors responsible for the smart city scam have joined the AAP.”
While the MC tenure under former BJP mayors brought great progress in the city, the situation has gone from bad to worse since the Congress came to power. The AAP had also done nothing to address the situation during its two-and-a-half-year tenure in the state. AAP is only interested in protecting those responsible for the smart city scam now that many of them have joined it. Therefore, AAP cannot be relied upon to conduct an investigation into the smart city scam.”
While the press conference was scheduled to be addressed by the party's Punjab affairs in-charge Vijay Rupani, he could not be present at the event due to a meeting. The party's core committee meeting also took place, as a result of which prominent exclusions were announced.
The BJP has traditionally been the party most vocal about the allegations against the Congress and the AAP in connection with the Jalandhar smart city scam. However, the party's criticism of this issue in the run-up to the MC poll was less loud. The issue was raised repeatedly in the run-up to Jalandhar elections, Lok Sabha elections and Jalandhar West elections, among others. In January this year, Union Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal had written to Hardep Puri, the then Union Minister for Housing and Urban Development, seeking investigation and action against the culprits in the alleged Rs 1,000-crore Jalandhar smart city scam.
To this, Bhandari replied, “We have discussed the matter with the high command and will discuss with Khattar Sahib (Union Minister for Power, Housing and Urban Affairs) that the matter be investigated by a central authority.”
District general secretary Ashok Sareen said, “The investigation is already pending with the vigilance department. In the name of the investigation, the entire documents were kept in their custody. As long as the file is with them, other agencies like CBI etc. cannot investigate it. The BJP will not spare the corrupt. But right now we can’t bypass the federal system.”
The 11 promises in the BJP manifesto
Removal of overhanging electrical cables and ensuring underground electrical wiring
Ensuring street lighting, eliminating dark areas
Removal of dangerous speed bumps and installation of safe speed bumps, including traffic master plan
Larvicide and fogging campaign to prevent the spread of disease
Cleaning the drainage system, permanent solution to rainwater accumulation and rainwater harvesting projects and providing clean water 24/7
Tree planting and landscaping, over 50,000 new seedlings will be planted
Special campaign for environmental protection, elimination of landfills
Dog shelters and gaushala projects to prevent accidents caused by stray dogs and cattle
Single window system for viewing commercial and residential properties
Redesign of religious and cultural places, special arrangements for older people at festivals and fairs
CCTV cameras are designed to prevent accidents and improve surveillance
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