AAP releases manifesto, BJP dubs it as "comedy circus"

The News Minute | January 31, 2015 | 1.20 PM ISTDays after the BJP said that it will not release a manifesto for the Delhi elections but only a vision document; major contender for the Delhi government, the AAP released its 70-point manifesto which promised to make the national capital a global city. In its manifesto that touches upon aspects like that of transport, infrastructure, education, and environment, the AAP has, in particular, promised to end contractualisation in “safai karmachari” posts, notify a SIT to re-investigate the anti-Sikh killings of 1984, utilize the 200 acre land lying unused under the Delhi Urban Shelter Improvement Board for housing, reduction of VAT, and regularization of unauthorized colonies and transfer of ownership to the residents within one year of coming to power.Though the manifesto document seems comprehensive, it is difficult to say whether the party with a 49-day experience in governance can implement the tall promises it has made. The BJP, which did not release a manifesto itself, has, however, ridiculed the attempt of its major competitor for power in Delhi. Manoj Tiwari of the BJP said that the manifesto of the AAP was like a “comedy circus.”They talk of women security? Their own ministers disrespect women: Shaina NC (BJP) on AAP manifesto pic.twitter.com/2W2eKygX6i— ANI (@ANI_news) January 31, 2015Journalist-turned-politician M.J. Akbar, however, wanted the AAP to spell out how it was planning to execute the promises. “A true manifesto is one which tells how you want to implement promises in addition to making them,” he said.AAP spokesperson Yogendra Yadav responded to the criticism thus: “They read our manifesto this fast? They have broken record of rapid reading.” There are few observers who are unhappy that the BJP has moved away from its convention when the party used to release a manifesto before the elections.BJP used to be the party with serious manifesto creation when Govindacharya and SGurumurthi team was incharge of the same. Once upon a time.— Yashwant Deshmukh (@cvoter) January 31, 2015Meanwhile, the war of words for a public debate before the election is becoming fiercer. As soon as Kiran Bedi was announced as the chief ministerial candidate of the BJP, the AAP had demanded for an open, public debate with her and Arvind Kejriwal. Though initially Bedi had agreed to have one, she later said that Kejriwal was “negative” and that she felt that the activity would turn out to be futile because of his negativity. While, on the one hand, there were reports of the BJP volunteers being unhappy about a new comer Bedi being made the chief ministerial candidate, and Delhi leaders like Satish Upadhyay and Vijay Goel being sidelined, on the other hand, there were reports of discontent within the party volunteers over Bedi’s cop-style functioning and speeches. It was being said that the BJP leadership asked Bedi to not talk on anything else but women safety, an issue in which hers has been a strong voice. This after Bedi had made few faux pas in her speeches and television interviews.For instance, in an interview given to the NDTV, when asked about her vision and methodology to regularize slums, she said that the Maharashtra model would be followed, which actually gave credit to the Congress government in the state. The BJP was quick to realize that the newbie politician would create more harm than good if she were to speak on all issues. Thus, according to reports, the BJP issued a “gag order” on Bedi. Kejriwal has taken this to taunt the BJP and also further press for a public debate with Bedi, whom he is confident to win over if such a debate materializes. “Why is Kiran Bedi ji not up for a debate? Sad that BJP has put a gag order on Kiran Bedi,” he said on Saturday.Why is Kiran Bedi ji not up for a debate? Sad that BJP has put a gag order on Kiran Bedi: Arvind Kejriwal pic.twitter.com/bN8AK3D6FY— ANI (@ANI_news) January 31, 2015However, speaking to Headlines Today, Kejriwal refused to have a public debate with Amit Shah. “I am ready to debate with Amit Shah if he is made the CM candidate,” said Kejriwal. The Congress Party is, in comparison to the BJP and AAP, nowhere to be seen in the run to the election. As if its mighty fall was not enough, the public revelation of its former Union minister Jayanti Natrajan about the manner in which certain decisions were taken in the UPA government has done more damage to India's oldest political party.    â€‹TweetFollow @thenewsminute