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Corruption-free India is AAP’s poll promise
Ananya Panda
Tribune News Service

Party manifesto Promises swaraj Pushes for strong Jan Lokpal Bill Says CCTVs to be fixed in courts, police stations

New Delhi, April 3
Promising to make governance an interactive process, the Arvind Kejriwal-led Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) today released its maiden national manifesto.

It envisages a “corruption-free” India that assures an enabling environment for all sections by devolving power to the people through “mohalla sabhas” and “gram sabhas”. It promises to provide “Swaraj” (self-governance) and replace the UPA’s Lokpal Bill with a strong Jan Lokpal which covers all public servants -- a plank that has helped it gain acceptance and increase its support base -- reflected in its stellar performance during last year’s Delhi Assembly elections.

The AAP chief lambasted both the Congress and BJP for fielding “corrupt” candidates in the Lok Sabha elections while pushing his party’s anti-graft agenda backed with its 49-day stint in Delhi during which the party claims to have contained corruption.

Hitting out at BJP prime ministerial nominee Narendra Modi, Kejriwal said, “We reduced corruption in Delhi in 49 days. Narendra Modi has not been able to do it in 12 years in Gujarat.”

In its 33-point agenda, AAP has stressed on the need for judicial and policing reforms. The manifesto promises a major amendment in electoral legislation — of reducing the age to contest elections for MLA/MP from the current 25 years to 21.

To ensure transparency and accountability, the party has spelt out an array of initiatives, including installing CCTV cameras in court rooms and police stations and simplifying government procedures. The non-registration of FIRs will be made an offence in all cases, the AAP manifesto says.

Noting that he was against “crony capitalism”, Kejriwal reiterated that his party was “pro-business and industry-friendly”.