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AAP's Delhi Roadmap Focuses On Security For Women, Free Wi-Fi, Statehood

'Our Manifesto Is Like The Gita To Us', Says Aam Aadmi Party
A supporter flashes a victory sign as New Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, center, announces calling off a demonstration against the police in New Delhi, India, Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2014. Kejriwal, who created and leads the Aam Aadmi, or Common Man's Party, had accused the police force of targeting the poor for petty offences and refusing to combat serious crime. (AP Photo/Tsering Topgyal)
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A supporter flashes a victory sign as New Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, center, announces calling off a demonstration against the police in New Delhi, India, Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2014. Kejriwal, who created and leads the Aam Aadmi, or Common Man's Party, had accused the police force of targeting the poor for petty offences and refusing to combat serious crime. (AP Photo/Tsering Topgyal)

The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) on Saturday released its manifesto for the upcoming Delhi polls, unleashing a slew of promises, including the passing of the Jan Lokpal Bill, enhanced security for women and full statehood for the national capital.

The party also reiterated its plans of making Delhi a free Wi-Fi city, installing CCTV cameras in public transport as well as special reservations for senior citizens and the youth.

"Our manifesto is like the Gita to us, like Bible; this is holy for us. We have made special reservations for senior citizens in our manifesto, and also the youth. Environment, women, autowalas, traffic, economy, we have covered all these areas in our manifesto, how to make everything better," said AAP national convenor Arvind Kejriwal.

He also proposed a housing scheme post retirement for government employees and a cashless medical scheme.

"VAT rates will be reduced in the next five years. Land won't be acquiesced by force, if land will be taken it will be taken with will and on market rate," added Kejriwal

The former Delhi chief minister also pointed out that only AAP has the political will to lower the prices of electricity.

"Until there is political will to get electricity to Delhi at low price, it won't happen. Only AAP has that political will," he stated.

Taking on the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Kejriwal said the party hadn't fulfilled its past promises and hasn't even bothered to release a manifesto this time.

"The BJP didn't see through any promises they made the last time so this time they aren't even bothering to release a manifesto," said the AAP chief.

Senior BJP leaders rebuffed the 70-point manifesto, saying it was a stamp on the fact that the latter is not coming to power. "This AAP manifesto is a stamp on the fact that these people are not coming to power," said party leader Prabhat Jha.

Another BJP leader Manoj Tiwari termed the rival party's manifesto 'a comedy circus', while party spokesperson M J Akbar said a true manifesto also explains how promises will be implemented.

"A true manifesto is one which also tells how you want to implement promises in addition to making them. Delhi voters are sensible, they know the difference between truth and fraud," Akbar told ANI.

The Aam Aadmi Party, however, struck back, saying if the BJP leaders read their manifesto so fast, they have broken the record for rapid reading. "They read our manifesto this fast? They have broken record of rapid reading," said AAP leader Yogendra Yadav.

The Congress termed the manifesto illogical and maintained that it did not possess the experience to run a government. Congress leader Anand Sharma said no government can fulfil the promises made by the AAP in their 70-point manifesto.

"They know that they will not get a chance to run the government. Only those who do not have experience of running a government make such claims. No government can give these things for free, whether it is the Centre or the state government," he said.

"Even running a municipality needs some income, from where will Kejriwal get money for paying the wages of doctors, nurses and teachers etc, from where will he get the money for new schools, colleges and hospitals. This is very irresponsible, I don't think they can mislead the people of Delhi," he added.

Elections for the 70-seat assembly in Delhi will take place on February 7, with the counting of the votes set for February 10.

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This article exists as part of the online archive for HuffPost India, which closed in 2020. Some features are no longer enabled. If you have questions or concerns about this article, please contact indiasupport@huffpost.com.