Kolkata: Focusing on electoral reforms, the Trinamool Congress manifesto for the Lok Sabha polls released on Saturday said it would be the party`s first priority and that the time had come for government funding of elections.
"Electoral reform will be our first priority if a TMC-led government is formed at the Centre ... We believe that to reach the goal of a corruption-free politics, the time has come to adopt government funding of elections which is already functioning in many nations of the world, including UK, Germany, France, Russian Republic, Canada ..." party chief Mamata Banerjee said.
"We believe in massive comprehensive electoral reforms so that corrupt and criminals do not become people`s representatives," it said.
She said the manifesto contained policies which the party would be able to implement if a "Trinamool Congress-led government came to power".
Releasing the six page manifesto in two parts -- one dealing with a `vision for India` and the other detailing the party`s `vision for Bengal`, she promised a secular India with full protection of minorities and a special thrust for their social and economic empowerment.
Stating that the focus was on `roti, kapda and makaan`, Banerjee said, "Our manifesto is for a dynamic India. Our manifesto is people-friendly, industry-friendly and farmer-friendly."
