Even though the Delhi Assembly elections are just round the corner, the consolidated manifesto of the main Opposition, the Bharatiya Janata Party, is nowhere in sight.
While the other two major contenders — the Congress and the Aam Aadmi Party — have announced their agendas, the BJP has postponed its announcement to early next week. The party had earlier said it will be released on Friday.
The party has instead chosen to reveal, through its chief ministerial candidate Harsh Vardhan, one vision everyday for the next ten days under its ‘Dus Din - Dus Irade’ programme.
Rally caused delay
According to a party spokesperson, the delay in releasing the manifesto is due to preparations for BJP prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi’s rally in Dwarka on Saturday and the need to put finishing touches on the draft manifesto.
Yet, Delhi BJP chief Vijay Goel has been vociferous in his criticism of the vision documents released by the Congress and the AAP, calling them “full of lies”.
The BJP, on its part, promised to put in place a “public health insurance” scheme which will be offered at a nominal sum of Rs. 6 per day. The scheme promises unlimited number of check-ups for any conditions, hassle-free online registration and vouchers to visit private hospitals and clinics if users find government hospitals unable to deliver services.
Manifesto for Model Town released
Meanwhile, Mr. Goel released a manifesto for the Model Town constituency, from where his close aide Ashok Goyal is the party candidate.
“We had decided that every candidate will prepare a local manifesto that enumerates what they will do after they are voted to power,” he said.
He added that he will circulate the manifesto prepared by Mr. Goyal so other candidates can take a cue on how to prepare their vision documents.
Dr. Vardhan, however, walked into the press conference after Mr. Goel had released the manifesto and expressed displeasure at being asked to hold up the document for journalists.
