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Manifestoes: SAD tough on SYL, BJP cautious
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, February 2
The ruling partners, SAD and BJP, today separately released their respective election manifestos. The texts are woven around the same issues in the two documents but are different in syntax and idiom. The only common denominator of the two is the resolve to maintain “peace, brotherhood, communal harmony, socio-economic welfare, all-round development and sustainable and profitable agriculture through diversification.”

On the inter-state issues, sharing of river waters, construction of the SYL, and transfer of Chandigarh and Punjabi-speaking areas to Punjab, the SAD manifesto is steadfast and vocal, while the BJP is somewhat muted and cautious.

The Akalis talk of continuing with the struggle for the establishment of a federal political structure with greater socio-economic and political internal autonomy that further strengthens unity and integration of the country. They also favour the resolution of the waters dispute as per the internationally accepted Riparian laws, categorically stating that the SYL will not be allowed to be constructed.

The BJP, on other hand, has been dismissive of these issues. Reference is made to these unresolved disputes on page 14 as just thus: “The BJP stands for resolving these issues (sharing of water, Chandigarh and Punjabi speaking areas’ transfer to Punjab) through dialogue to the satisfaction of all sides.”

The two manifestos were released by the respective party presidents, Mr Parkash Singh Badal (at his residence) and Mr Brij Lal Rinwa (at the Press Club).

Mr Badal reiterated that even if it amounted to contempt of the Supreme Court, he would not allow the construction and commissioning of the SYL canal. But Mr Rinwa said Punjab would share waters with Haryana only if the state had surplus water.

While the BJP endorses the SAD manifesto on the need of an Act whereby the declaration of assets, sources of income and property by the elected MLAs would become mandatory, it is not mentioned in the manifesto. A BJP spokesperson admitted that neither side had any inkling of what the other’s manifesto contained. Competitive politics at play.

A perusal of the two manifestos shows some distant similarities in respect of agriculture, business and education. The BJP manifesto is more of a compilation made in a hurry. For instance, it has promised setting up a women commission (page11). When asked what was wrong with the one already functioning in the state, the BJP general secretary, organisation, Mr Avinash Jaiswal, admitted that the BJP was not aware of its existence.

SAD manifesto

Releasing the document, Mr Parkash Singh Badal said the manifesto was not a ritual, but a sacred document and a firm commitment of the SAD, which had implemented almost 90 per cent of the promises held out in 1997. The document was a continuous process that his government would follow even after the elections that he was confident of winning because “a wave is gathering in our favour and the last five days will show it.”

The manifesto, running into 28 pages, is as much a road-map for socio-economic development and welfare of the people as it is capsules what all has been achieved in the past five years. As Punjab has an agriculture-based economy, the manifesto devotes a considerable part to what the party intended to do in this field if re-elected to power. The manifesto promises to retain most of the sops already given to the people from all walks of life besides upgrading some schemes. It also lists new ones to encompass students, teachers, youths, employees, traders, agriculturists, industrialists, professionals etc.

Given the large concentration of the Scheduled Caste and Backward Classes population (one-third) in the state, the SAD manifesto lists several schemes for ameliorating their lot. Rather than income, caste would be made the basis for issuing certificates to Backward Classes.

For the jobless, there is an ambitious plan that includes interest-free loans for the educated to enable them to get self-employed. If the there is to be a separate board for the development of border districts, there will be a special tribunal to re-dress the problems of the employees and yet another regulatory authority for education. Decentralisation of powers and functions as part of the extension of the popular sangat darshan programme is also on the anvil. For industrial development, yet another board is promised to encourage ancillary units.

May it be cooperation, crop loan waiver, crop insurance, agri-business, farm exports, agricultural processing, minimum support price, procurement, welfare of freedom fighters and ex-servicemen, elected representatives at the grassroots, urban development, NRIs, freedom fighters, ex-servicemen etc., there is something for everyone.

Answering a spate of questions on the these issues in different ways, Mr Badal maintained that Punjab and Punjabis were known to favour fair and free elections and he would not enter into any controversy with the Election Commission, whose authority must be accepted.

BJP manifesto

Punjab BJP chief Brij Lal Rinwa releases his party's manifesto in Chandigarh on Saturday. — PTI photo

The BJP is convinced that for any development, a meaningful political equation between New Delhi and state capitals was imperative.