The Mahakutami or grand alliance in Telangana on Monday released its manifesto for the upcoming Legislative Assembly elections in the state, which is scheduled to be held on December 7. The common agenda of the alliance, which has decided to call itself People’s Front, was released by Telangana Congress chief Uttam Kumar Reddy, Telugu Desam Party (TDP) state unit president L Ramana, Telangana Jana Samithi (TJS) president Kodandaram and CPI’s state secretary Chada Venkat Reddy.
Though the alliance does not promise any grand plans like the TDP had earlier, its manifesto features a 10-point agenda, which touches upon changes in administration, justice to Telangana activists, employment, agriculture, education, healthcare, basic amenities, the cultural sector and industries.
In addition to revoking the cases filed against the activists who fought for a separate Telangana state, the Mahakutami also said it will build a martyr’s memorial park within one year of its tenure. Also, activists who spearheaded the first and second phase of Telangana movement were promised benefits of several government schemes and pensions.
Referring to Karnataka Lokayukta, the grand alliance manifesto promised to bring about changes in the administrative field to end the ‘dictatorial regime and corrupt practices’ of the TRS government. It also stated that it would initiate a judicial probe on the awarding of contracts in the last four years and strengthen panchayat raj by allocating funds and conducting elections in a time-bound manner.
Offering administrative positions to SC/ST, minorities and women, implementation of SC/ST and BC sub-plan, 200 units free power to eligible SC/ST candidates, loans for women at 25 paisa interest, increasing wages of beedi workers and unorganised sector workers and old age pension to people above 58 years and people with physical disabilities were some of the promises in the common agenda to work towards social justice and empowerment.
As unemployment is a major issue in Telangana, the coalition government assured to dole out 1 lakh jobs in the first year after coming to power, release the job calendar every year and even provide an unemployment allowance to graduates and diploma holders. The manifesto also promised competitive exam coaching centres in all districts and financial assistance through Finance Corporations.
The grand alliance also said it will ensure reservation to Telangana locals in new industries, which is another major demand in the state.
Working towards the welfare of gulf migrant labourers, it assured to set up a Saudi Consulate in Hyderabad and a special ministry to look after their welfare. It also stated that the government will ban private recruiting agencies and instead recruit through government agencies, and provide health insurance.
The Mahakutamai manifesto announced numerous features for farmers. It also promised interest-free loans and one-time loan waiver of up to Rs 2 lakh. It also said it will remove anti-farmer rules from the Land Acquisition Act of 2016 and bring farmers and tenant farmers under life insurance. It also said a Rs 10,000 crore fund would be allocated for a market intervention scheme in the agricultural sector.
Under the education sector, it said it will set up a special commission to regulate fees in private schools and reimburse school fee on time. The alliance stated it will fill up all vacant posts, set up a PG centre in mandal centres and establish women’s and tribal universities.
The manifesto said it will enhance basic amenities such as providing free electricity for those using less than 100 units and removing telescopic billing method. The alliance also promises to integrate Anganwadi and Asha workers and PHCs, in addition to bringing 108 and 104 services under government jurisdiction.
Reopening Nizam sugar factory, Sirpur paper mill and Sarangpur Sugar factory within a year of coming to power are the other promises stated in the manifesto.
As part of the Mahakutami deal, the Congress is contesting in 93 seats, leaving 14 to the TDP, eight to the TJS and three to the CPI, and one to the Telangana Inti Party.
The alliance has already announced that TJS chief Prof Kodandaram would be made the chairman of the common minimum programme (CMP), which will ensure effective implementation of what the coalition government plans to do during its tenure.
Earlier this week, the TDP released a separate manifesto for the upcoming elections and said that it promised to focus on welfare and social justice, making special promises to the families of the people who lost their lives during the Telangana agitation for separate statehood.
In a major announcement, the TDP claimed that it would work to transform 'Pragathi Bhavan', a massive complex built by incumbent Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao as his camp office, into a public hospital. Pragathi Bhavan comprises the Chief Minister's residence and office.
However, it has since said that the latest manifesto that was released takes precedence.
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