Press Trust of India

The Aam Aadmi Party came out with its manifesto for the Lok Sabha election based on the central theme of full statehood and promising 85 per cent reservation in colleges and jobs for the people of Delhi.

The manifesto, released by AAP convenor and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, has been divided into two sections — about what the party did without full statehood and what they will do if it is granted.

The manifesto, featuring Kejriwal’s photograph on the front page, focused on 12 areas of education, health, women safety, police reforms, zero corruption, jobs, land and housing, protection from sealing, cleanliness, pollution, transport and Yamuna rejuvenation.

“We will secure 85 per cent of the seats of Delhi colleges for residents of the city. Sixty-five per cent jobs of the region similarly will be secured for locals,” Kejriwal said.

Apart from Kejriwal, Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia, senior party leader Gopal Rai and Sanjay Singh and all seven candidates were also present at the unveiling of the poll document for the Lok Sabha election. Voting in Delhi will be held in a single phase on May 12.

Kejriwal said the BJP in the 2014 Parliamentary polls had promised statehood for Delhi but did not fulfil it. He further alleged that the Delhi residents were being treated like “second class citizens”.

‘Most regressive governance’

The manifesto also rejected the argument that Delhi cannot be granted full statehood as New Delhi is the national capital.

“A simple comparison of powers of the Delhi government and that of the local city governments of national capitals around the world makes it clear that India has the most regressive form of governance for its national capital,” the document said.

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