The BJP on Friday released its manifesto for the Karnataka Assembly elections, promising a farm loan waver and transformational change to the State.
The poll document, titled ‘Janashakthi’ and unveiled by the party’s chief ministerial candidate BS Yeddyurappa, promises to waive farm loans of up to ₹1 lakh from nationalised and co-operative banks. For 20 lakh small and marginal dry land farmers, it has declared an incentive of ₹10,000. A revolving fund of ₹5,000 crore is also planned to facilitate market intervention during times of volatility in prices of farm produce.
The manifesto also covers initiatives to develop Bengaluru and transform into a world-class city. The document says a BJP government will introduce a ‘Nava Bengaluru Act’ to cater to the unique infrastructure needs of the city. To revive and rejuvenate lakes and rivers of Bengaluru, a ₹2,500-crore fund is proposed to be set up. Yeddyurappa said a separate ministry to provide clean drinking water to all households using river and surface water is planned.
The BJP promises to double the electricity generation in the State to 20,000 MW, and increase the solar power capacity by 4,000 MW. The party also proposes a six-lane ‘Karnataka mala highway’ connecting all districts.
For women, the BJP manifesto promises ₹10,000 crore to set up a mega State-level women’s co-operative that would facilitate selling of products at district and taluk centres. Women in BPL families will get free smartphones. “Poor girls will get a financial support of ₹25,000 and three grams of gold for marriage under the Vivaha Mangala scheme,” said Yeddyurappa.
On the education front, the BJP would set up a Karnataka Schools and Colleges’ Fee Regulation Authority to ensure that students from weaker sections have access to affordable education and interest-free loans of upto ₹5 lakh for poor students to pursue higher education.
Fulfil old promises: CM
Karnataka chief minister Siddaramaiah and Congress party president Rahul Gandhi took to Twitter and tore into the BJP’s manifesto.
Siddaramaiah, who was first to criticise, said “Sir, please don’t make a new promise of a loan-waiver worth ₹1-lakh crore. Please tell the Prime Minister to fulfill the old promise of depositing ₹15 lakh into bank accounts.”
In another tweet, the CM said: “When Yeddyurappa was asked to waive farm loans on the floor of Karnataka Assembly, he snapped saying: Do I have a currency-printing machine?’ So, has he now got a note-printing machine?”
Rahul Gandhi, tongue firmly in cheek, said: “New Book Review! The BJP Karnataka Manifesto, inspired by Narendra Modi, is a poorly crafted fantasy built around a weak plot, that has nothing unique to offer voters. If you’ve read the Congress Manifesto, don’t waste your time on this one. Rating: 1/5 (star) Recommendation: Avoid”
Karnataka Congress chief G Parameshwara said: “What is the guarantee of BJP implementing its promise of waiver of agricultural loans of farmers from nationalised and commercial banks up to ₹1 lakh?”
“We know the track record of the BJP government at the Centre and can list out 10 major poll promises Prime Minister Narendra Modi made in 2014 that have not been fulfilled even after four years in power. Promises in this manifesto will be another jhumla,” he added.