In an attempt to woo voters of the Economically Weaker Section (EWS) both the major political parties — BJP and Congress — held meetings on Sunday in which they offered sops to people living in slum clusters. While the Delhi BJP promised that it will provide flats to every family living in Jhuggi-Jhopri clusters in the city, CM Sheila Dikshit announced that her Government will allot 50,000 low-cost dwelling units within five months.
Speaking at the Jhuggi Jhopri Mahasammelan held at Talkatora stadium on Sunday, senior BJP leader Nitin Gadkari held the Congress Government responsible for the poverty in the country. "Since Independence, when Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru became the Prime Minister followed by his daughter Indira Gandhi, then Rajeev Gandhi, Congress has been chanting slogans to remove poverty from India. Despite voting for them and bringing them to power time and again, people continued to remain poor. After coming to power, the Congress is draining aam admi's pockets rather than helping them," said Gadkari, who has also been given the responsibility to look after the polls in the Capital.
Among others, Delhi BJP Chief Vijay Goel, party leader Ramesh Bidhuri and Mayor (SDMC) Sarita Chaudhary were present. "When Delhi was ruled by the BJP, you may remember that the prices of various commodities at that time used to be very low. If you vote us back to power, those days will return back. Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit says that she has developed Delhi in the last 15 years, but I don't think people have really benefited from the so-called development," he added.
Goel said that the flats that the BJP has decided on providing will be developed in the Public Private Partnership (PPP) Model at the places where these families are living at present. The party also assured that in JJ clusters, electricity will be provided through a single-point connection. Toilet blocks will be constructed in every cluster along with a police booth. Every household will be provided with regular uninterrupted clean water supply, cheap electricity, medical facility and ration card.
Referring to the pitiable condition of slum dwellers as a very serious issue for the BJP, Goel said that unlike the Congress Government, which has cheated people by showing false dreams, the BJP has always delivered what it promised.