March 23, 2014
Trinamool manifesto focuses on common people, promises reforms – The Times of India
Trinamool Chairperson Ms. Mamata Banerjee on Saturday released a two-in-one election manifesto – one for the state and some salient points in case the party comes to power with emphasis on development and reforms, electoral, administrative and judicial – to weed out corruption and scams that have surfaced at the national level.
While saying so, the Trinamool Chairperson reiterated her solo battle claiming that Congress, BJP and CPM have lost credibility among people.
A strong advocate for setting up a state fund for political parties in the fray, the Trinamool Chairperson came down heavily on fund raising drives of political parties during elections. Citing instances of UK, Germany, France and Canada, she proposed government funding for elections.
Taking a dig at BJP`s `chai pe charcha` and seat auction drives at Narendra Modi`s rallies, Mamata said, “Someone is raising funds online, someone is selling tea, while someone is selling seats at meetings. In fact, they have different rates for seats in different rows.” She also pointed out that parties are even asking people to join them at dinners against hefty donations. “How come some of the parties have wealth to the tune of thousands of crores? There should be a law to bring back black money parked overseas.”
The Trinamool manifesto is focused on people`s issues – `roti, kapda aur makan`, highlighting steps to check the spiraling inflation. Claiming that Trinamool will emerge the third largest party post polls, Ms. Banerjee stressed on faster implementation of Lokpal and Lokayukta in all states.
Promising employment generation to tackle `jobless growth` in the country, Ms. Banerjee proposed economic reforms. The manifesto proposes a new national investment policy with focus on increasing employment and productivity. It has also proposed new PPP policy and new foreign trade policy to boost export growth in the country. “Our manifesto has been prepared keeping the youth in mind,” she said.
Proposing a host of reforms in areas like judiciary, health and education, Ms. Banerjee showcased the achievements of her government in last two and a half years. The manifesto, which proposed `inclusive growth` and `no forceful land acquisition`, opened with an account of the Bengal`s achievement in covering 94% Muslim population in the state under the reservation for OBC category. It also proposed special status to the tribal population, which will be similar to the BPL category.
In the manifesto, Ms. Banerjee cleared her party`s position for coming out of both NDA and UPA II government. “We chose to withdraw from all the ministerial portfolios and withdrew from UPA II altogether to protect the interest of common man,” Trinamool commented in the manifesto. The 62 point manifesto, which took `little more time`, will provide guiding principles for the `honest and grassroots-based` federal front, she felt.
HIGHLIGHTS OF MANIFESTO
- Reforms: electoral, administrative and judicial
- Stress on people`s issues – `roti, kapda aur makan`, highlighting steps to check the spiralling inflation
- Government funding for elections
- Faster implementation of Lokpal and Lokayukta in all states
- New national investment policy with focus on increasing employment and productivity
- New PPP and foreign trade policies to boost export growth in the country
