As the 2012 state elections enter their final two weeks, the various parties have been releasing their manifestos:
The CPI(ML) was first off the bat with their promise to “take on touts, contractors, NGOs and the land mafia that are ruling the roost in the Uttarakhand political scene.” In addition to supporting Gairsain as capital and opposing the economic and communalist policies being practiced by the opportunistic parties, they have focused their attention on workers and the marginalized sectors of Uttarakhand society. [more]
The Congress released their manifesto to much fanfare, promising sops to various sectors of Uttarakhand society. Unemployed youth will particularly benefit from a form of employment allowance. Hill farmers will be supported in transitioning to and marketing organic produce. [more]
Top of the list for the Uttarakhand Raksha Morcha is fighting corruption. However, the new party also pledges to address many of the other issues particular to the state including arresting migration out of the hills, providing affordable and quality education, addressing the unemployment crisis, and establishing Gairsain as capital. [more]
The UKD (P) also pledges to establish Gairsain as well as other planks of their regionalist platform such as making knowledge of Garhwali and Kumaoni compulsory for government jobs. They have forcefully come out on the side of fighting the liquor hydra, and will enact prohibition in the state. [more]
As for the BJP, the party waited until the 16th of January to release their manifesto due to astrological reasons. Top on their list is the creation of a million jobs by 2017, the attraction of Rs. 500 Billion investment, and the increase of the growth rate to 10-12 percent. They also pledged to bring in whistleblower protection. The also claimed that they had accomplished every single one of their 206 announcements dating from 2007. However, it seems though that plans to expand cow urine collection and processing is overshadowing the rest of the platform. [more]
