Candidates releasing arbitrary election manifestoes

Party calls it ‘vision document’

PS BALI

Jammu, Nov 18: Even as the political parties in the state are yet to declare manifestoes, several candidates of the major parties have arbitrarily released their agendas reflecting lack of coordination among the organisations.  

As per reports, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate from Jammu West, Daman Bhasin , released a manifesto of his own, promising      special reservations for Christian and Balmiki Samaj, besides enhancement of window pension upto Rs 2000 per month and raising health infrastructure in the region .

Dhaman claimed that his agenda has been approved by the party high command.

Similarly, some National Conference (NC) leaders including party candidate from Samba constituency, Satwant Kaur Dogra has released an election agenda of her own ‘to suit the requirements of the constituency and its people for development of the area’.

She maintained that the party will announce its manifesto for the entire state, but due to variations in the conditions from constituency to constituency, she was tempted to release separate agenda.

Most of her announced agenda focuses on local roads, electricity, tube-wells and other infrastructure.

On the same lines NC’s Jammu West candidate, Dharamvir Singh Jamwal has also made several promises with the people of the area. In his election  agenda , he has vowed  development of Jammu West as ‘smart city’ and Jammu city as ‘model city’, besides making Jammu region tourist and pilgrim destination.

Talking to Greater Kashmir, National Conference Spokesperson, Junaid Azim Mattu said that any individual can release his ‘vision document’, which he or she feels best for his/her constituency.

“The final document is what high command releases and all candidates are bound to follow it. The individual candidates are announcing what they feel is good for their particular constituency and unless their agenda do not carry anything contrary to the party’s manifesto, there is no problem,” said Mattu adding “The final draft of the party’s manifesto is ready and will be out soon within days or two”.

However, political experts termed it as a discordant move of candidates. They said that even if it was a ‘vision document’, the candidates were supposed to announce it once the party had released final manifesto.

Significantly, the political parties in the state are yet to release their election manifestoes for the polls, even as the first phase of polling is inching closer.