Congress for probes, peace, prosperity
AICC
general-secretary Kamal Nath said here that the Congress will institute
an inquiry commission and a special court to probe the cooperative bank
scams, corruption in the removal of earthquake debris, corruption in
water supply, irrigation and other departments.
Mr Kamal Nath, who is in charge of the Congress Gujarat affairs, released
the party manifesto here on Thursday and said the state has suffered
from a slow pace of development and that the Congress will chart out
the true route of development in the state.
"The BJP is attempting to mislead people by failing to account
for its performance during the four-and-half years of its rule. It is
attempting to draw curtains and conceal the historic corruption that
it has indulged in within the term," Mr Kamal Nath said.
He added that the Congress election campaign will be positive, while
that of the BJP will be negative. Mr Kamal Nath said the Congress will
contest the polls on the planks of harmony, development and prosperity
for the people of Gujarat. The Congress, which announced its manifesto
ahead of BJP, had also been the first party to announce its list of
candidates.
"It is now upto the people to decide whether they want development
or retrogression, peace or disturbance and violence or non-violence,"
he added.
Mr Kamal Nath also assured that Congress will implement its manifesto
in its true spirit, if it comes back to power.
Mr Kamal Nath also appealed to the people to recognise the true face
of the BJP and cautioned against its misleading policies. "The
Congress is the only party whose roots are traditional and believes
in the true spirit of brotherhood," he said.
Meanwhile, GPCC president Shankarsinh Vaghela said the resignation of
delegates and office bearers, who have been given party tickets to contest
the Assembly elections, is in tune with the party policy of one person
one post. "The vacant posts will be filled up shortly with capable
leaders," he said.
Mr Vaghela also asserted that those who have filed nominations against
official Congress candidates will be suspended from the party.
He also appealed to Congress leaders in Ahmedabad to refrain from participating
in rallies and to get on with campaigning for official candidates. Those
who indulge in anti-party activities will be suspended, he added. Surprisingly,
Mr Vaghela took the attack on the Congress office by supporters of Kalupur
candidate Farooq Sheikh with a pinch of a salt. "The party had
received representations to change the candidate for Kalupur earlier,
but after a survey it was found that Mr Sheikh was more likely to win
the seat. The party is sympathetic to the attack and Ahmedabad is not
the only place where there has been an attack," he said. He also
denied that the party has gifted tickets to sons of Congress leaders
and said the high command has chosen candidates who can win the elections.
"None of the leaders have recommended the nominations of their
relatives," he said. He also termed chief minister Narendra Modis
hospitalisation as "stage managed," to avail tickets for candidates
close to him.
He said the Congress will allocate a huge share of funds for the Narmada
project if it wins. "The BJP has only been able to raise the height
of the dam by 10 meters, whereas the Congress will complete the construction
of the dam," he asserted. He said 17 lakh depositors have been
affected by the bank scam and several BJP leaders have been involved
in it. The party will contest on peace, prosperity and communal harmony.
Highlights of the Congress manifesto:
White paper on Godhra Episode and the role
played by the BJP government.
Establishing a state human rights commission to ensure protection of
constitution and human rights.
Establishment of rule of law in every sphere with the slogan of Riot
Free Gujarat.
Security to citizens, restoration of faith in ordinary citizens of all
religions and faith in government.
Corruption Free Administration. Strengthening of corruption detection
machinery.
Time Bound completion of Narmada dam in five years.
Fundamental change in the law governing cooperative banks.
A new Five year industrial policy 2003-08. Revival package for certain
industries.
Freeze the duty on electricity duty. Electricity to each and every tribal
house.
Enaction of law to prevent man made disasters like communal riots.
Poverty alleviation programmes.
Employment Guarantee Act to be enacted.
Arrest of price rise of essential commodities.
Setting up of state level agriculture support price mechanism.
Providing electricity for 12 hours a day.
Setting up of agriculture zones.
Minimum of 40 litres water per person per day in all villages.
Development of minorities to be monitored personally by the chief minister.
Muslim Trusts to be given the management of cemetery lands.
Inclusion of castes hitherto excluded in list of backward castes.
Constitution of a Special Commission for the resolution of problems
and development of minorities.
Enhancement of level of education.
Development and welfare of backward castes and classes.
A special bond of Rs 10,000 for a 20 year period to the child of the
couple who respects the family planning agenda.
