 "AAP manifesto backs Congress policies")
Going by the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP)'s national manifesto, if the Congress forms the next government at the Centre, the AAP will not oppose most of its policies in Parliament.
In its manifesto, the AAP has endorsed many of the schemes rolled out during the 10-year term of the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government. The AAP's views on the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)'s poll promises, however, aren't known, as the BJP is yet to come out with a blueprint of its policies.
"In principle", the AAP is not against foreign direct investment (FDI). However, it continues to oppose FDI in the multi-brand retail sector, a stand the party had taken during its 49-day rule in Delhi. Barring this, it has little common ground with the BJP.
In its manifesto, the AAP mentions the flagship schemes of the UPA such as the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS), the land acquisition Act, Right to Education Act, etc, in an approving manner.
For instance, it talks of providing "anganwadis to MGNREGS workers". Also, on health, the AAP's policy is in line with the Congress'; it seeks to "introduce a comprehensive legislation, right to health care, enabling access to high-quality health care for all citizens". The Congress manifesto had also mentioned 'right to health'.
The AAP further states its health care scheme "would be on the lines of the Right to Education Act".
The party's manifesto also says it will "move towards a simple, progressive and stable tax structure", akin to the Goods and Services Tax (GST) the Congress is pushing since April 2010. The Bill favours concurrent taxing powers for the Centre, as well as states. Though the AAP manifesto doesn't point to GST directly, AAP leaders believe GST is a good idea.
In its manifesto, the AAP has endorsed many of the schemes rolled out during the 10-year term of the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government. The AAP's views on the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)'s poll promises, however, aren't known, as the BJP is yet to come out with a blueprint of its policies.
"In principle", the AAP is not against foreign direct investment (FDI). However, it continues to oppose FDI in the multi-brand retail sector, a stand the party had taken during its 49-day rule in Delhi. Barring this, it has little common ground with the BJP.
In its manifesto, the AAP mentions the flagship schemes of the UPA such as the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS), the land acquisition Act, Right to Education Act, etc, in an approving manner.
For instance, it talks of providing "anganwadis to MGNREGS workers". Also, on health, the AAP's policy is in line with the Congress'; it seeks to "introduce a comprehensive legislation, right to health care, enabling access to high-quality health care for all citizens". The Congress manifesto had also mentioned 'right to health'.
The AAP further states its health care scheme "would be on the lines of the Right to Education Act".
The party's manifesto also says it will "move towards a simple, progressive and stable tax structure", akin to the Goods and Services Tax (GST) the Congress is pushing since April 2010. The Bill favours concurrent taxing powers for the Centre, as well as states. Though the AAP manifesto doesn't point to GST directly, AAP leaders believe GST is a good idea.
| PROMISE OF ELECTORAL, POLICE REFORMS & MORE |
| FOREIGN POLICY Focus more on balanced trade in Sino-Indian relation; protect agricultural and rural communities through WTO INTERNAL SECURITY Review and reform Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act MEDIA Regulate cross-media ownership for competitiveness; end state monopoly on radio news broadcasting |
ELECTORAL REFORM Reduce age threshold for contesting legislative elections to 21 years from 25; RTI to cover political parties
RESERVATION SC category for Dalit Muslims and Christians; nomadic and de-notified communities to be recognised on a par with SCs and STs
SWARAJ Decentralise decision-making powers to gram sabhas; share benefits of mining with local communities; link public distribution system, police, health, education to mohalla sabhas; national resources’ commercial exploitation based on royalty sharing agreement with locals
AGRICULTURE Greater investment in agro-processing industries; implement recommendations of Swaminathan commission report
POLICE Police accountability to gram sabhas; refusal to register FIR a criminal offence
RESERVATION SC category for Dalit Muslims and Christians; nomadic and de-notified communities to be recognised on a par with SCs and STs
SWARAJ Decentralise decision-making powers to gram sabhas; share benefits of mining with local communities; link public distribution system, police, health, education to mohalla sabhas; national resources’ commercial exploitation based on royalty sharing agreement with locals
AGRICULTURE Greater investment in agro-processing industries; implement recommendations of Swaminathan commission report
POLICE Police accountability to gram sabhas; refusal to register FIR a criminal offence
DEFENCE Ex-servicemen Contributory Health Scheme for health insurance
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