BJP promises cheaper power, vegetables in Delhi

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Tuesday promised cheaper electricity and vegetables if it won the Dec 4 elections in Delhi.

The BJP election manifesto released here focuses largely on the soaring prices of essential commodities and pledged to make life better for people in the capital.

The manifesto said it would cut power tariff by 30 percent, check rising onion and tomato prices within a month, and hike the number of subsidised cooking gas cylinders each family is entitled to from nine to 12.

The BJP also vowed to make Delhi a full-fledged state, set up a Lokayukta to battle corruption, establish a monorail and provide health insurance for all citizens.

It also promised to provide justice to the families of those killed in the 1984 anti-Sikh riots that followed the killing of then prime minister Indira Gandhi.

"Power tariff is the most important issue... We will give the people freedom from Congress' bad administration," Delhi BJP president Vijay Goel told the media after releasing the manifesto.

"Delhi shall be made a power surplus state and also the solar energy capital of the country by installing solar panels on government and other buildings," said the manifesto.

On women's safety, the BJP said more hostels would come up for working women and fast track courts would be set up to deal with cases related to women.

There would be a 24X7 call centre to address women's issues -- and a dedicated security force for women.

Twenty-five types of medicines would be supplied free of cost to everyone in Delhi, the manifesto said.

Promising more schools and colleges in the capital, the BJP said 85 percent seats in Delhi colleges would be reserved for students from Delhi.

The BJP is determined to end 15 years of Congress rule in Delhi. Also in the election fray is the newly formed Aam Aadmi Party.