The highly-anticipated “Vision Document” of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) was released sans the mention of full statehood for Delhi on Tuesday. The 24-page document promises “out-of-the-box solutions for Delhi’s long-standing problems” in a bid to turn Delhi into a “world-class” city. Covering 35 areas and 270 points, it addresses “urgent matters” like women’s safety, youth affairs, housing, power, water, cleanliness, health, environment and education.
However, there were no concrete promises on reducing power tariffs; rather it proposed a solution to ensure rates fall by bringing in competition among distribution companies and expediting CAG audit. The party also came under attack from the Congress for terming people from the North-East as “immigrants” in its vision document
Releasing its Vision Document instead of the manifesto just three days ahead of the Delhi Assembly polls, BJP’s chief ministerial candidate Kiran Bedi explained that the vision would be achieved through deliverables like “100 per cent transparency”, “unimpeachable integrity”, “fullest accountability”, “maximum measurability”, “fiscal prudence” and “zero tolerance towards corruption.” In the Vision Document, the party promised to scrap the controversial Bus Rapid Transit Corridor in South Delhi.
Reducing power tariff and granting full statehood to Delhi was a key poll promise of the BJP ahead of the 2013 Assembly polls. Justifying the absence of the mention of full statehood for Delhi from the document, BJP spokesperson, Shaina NC said: “The issue will be taken up in the Assembly and a resolution will be passed. This will simplify things and then we can expect something. leaders will sit and deliberate on it.” The vision document said BPl and poor families will be provided power at subsidized rates. However, in the 2013 manifesto, the BJP had promised to slash power tariff by 30 per cent on coming to power.
While making health insurance for all citizens of Delhi compulsory, BJP also said that 15-bed hospitals and ambulances with paramedical staff will be made available at every 5-km in the National Capital if it comes to power. In its vision document, the BJP also said that if it comes to power, regularization and development of unauthorized colonies will be done and all facilities, similar to those provided by DDA colonies, will be provided.
“An Expert Advisory Committee on matters of strategic importance will be set up which means the party will not only follow the vision of its leaders but will also rope in experts,” Bedi said. On the water issue, BJP said that water rates will be rationalised and water bills will also be reviewed. Besides, water will be brought from Munak Canal in cooperation with the Haryana Government.
However, soon after releasing the vision document, the BJP came under attack from the Congress for terming people from the North-East as “immigrants” in its vision document An embarrassed BJP rushed to correct its mistake later in the evening saying “the brothers and sisters of the North-East are the pride of Delhi”.
The BJP’s move came after the Congress asked if the BJP considered people from the North-East foreigners. Congress campaign chief Ajay Maken, while releasing the party manifesto, asked: “Does the BJP want to say that the North-East is not part of the countryIJ”
Maken said that at a time when External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj was visiting China, which lays claim to Arunachal Pradesh, was it proper for the BJP to come out with a vision document terming the North-East people as “immigrants”. He asked the BJP to rectify the error and apologise to the country.