LS polls: Arvind Kejriwal releases AAP manifesto, promises to end corruption

Zee Media Bureau

New Delhi: Ahead of 2014 General Elections, Aam Aadmi Party chief Arvind Kejriwal on Thursday released party`s manifesto, promising to put an end to corruption and to decriminalise gay sex.

During the release of the manifesto, Kejriwal was accompanied by other AAP leaders including Yogendra Yadav, Manish Sisodia and Gopal Rai.
Kejriwal, while holding the party`s manifesto said that the main motive of AAP has always been to end corruption in the country and there is no other party which can do this.

The former Delhi chief minister also said that the Congress and the BJP cannot speak of corruption free India with Chidambaram, Sibal, Pawar, BS Yeddyurappa and B Sriramulu with them.

Furthermore, he said that Janlokpal Bill is included in the manifesto and that it will cover everyone from the PM to the peon.

The AAP manifesto also pledges to decriminalise gay sex which is still a debatable issue. Besides this, it covers Mohalla Sabhas, law and order, health and education.

On foreign policy, the AAP leader said that his party advocated friendly relations with all the countries, but had "zero tolerance" for cross border terrorism.

"We will work to reduce political hostilities in our immediate neighbourhood but we will have zero tolerance for cross border terrorism.
"Border areas should be developed as zones of high economic engagements to create a larger constituency for peace on both sides. We will work to enhance the defence capacity to deter the border incursions by China, but will also strive for a greater and more balanced trade with the country," he said.

Kejriwal added that the party will not only work to reduce the foriegn dependence in equipment, but also will also try to bring transparency in procurement of defence equipment.

Key points of AAP`s manifesto

To include Delhi Police under Delhi Government.

Installation of CCTVs in police interrogation rooms.

Fixed time frame for citizens` charter. If work is not completed within time, officers should be punished.

Every citizen will have access to basic amenities like food, housing, education, health care, power, water, toilets etc.

Eligibility to fight polls to be lowered from 25 to 21.

Decentralisation of political power or Swaraj by Mohalla Sabhas.

Not lodging FIRs will be made an offence.

Ensuring all land acquisitions done post September 2011 comes under the new Land Acquisition Act passed by the Parliament in 2013; making it mandatory to provide employment to one person per family that is losing land.

No contractual jobs and strict implementation of minimum wages.

Support existing constitutional provisions of reservation in higher education and government jobs.

Ending contract of safai karamachari posts and regularising existing employees.

(With Agencies inputs)