Congress releases manifesto for MCD by-polls

New Delhi: Accusing AAP-led Delhi government and BJP-ruled MCDs of "neglecting" civic issues affecting people, Congress on Monday rolled out its manifesto for by-polls to 13 wards, promising to address the concerns including sanitation, pension distribution and health problems.

In an apparent move to win over voters falling under the wards, the Congress also promised to fight for the people against imposition of house tax and power bills on commercial rates even as it pitched for execution of fourth Finance Commission report.

"People are fed up with the misrule of AAP Government and BJP-ruled MCDs as both are clashing against each other without tackling urgent public problems.

"In the absence of elected representatives, these wards suffered gross neglect and people are now waiting for an opportunity to teach AAP and BJP a bitter lesson in the by-elections," Delhi Congress chief Ajay Maken told reporters here.

Among other issues, the party has promised to fight to pressurise the MCDs to take effective measures to tackle monkey and stray dogs' menace.

Terming the condition of MCD schools as "pathetic", the party assured to work towards improving their conditions by focusing on problems like providing drinking water facility, toilets and shortage of teachers.

"The MCDs do not have proper finances. There is corruption in toll tax collection, parking lots are being controlled by mafias, and there is also a scam of putting up unauthorised hoardings. We will prepare a road-map within four months to tackle all these three issues," Maken said.

He said Congress prepared the 11-point manifesto after consulting local people to ascertain priority of problems to be solved.

Besides, the Congress has also prepared ward-specific manifestos highlighting the special problems of each of it, he added.

The former Union Minister claimed the Congress is getting "overwhelming" support in these wards as people have now realised that only it could provide "effective administration" and they were keen to ensure the party's victory.

The party also released it specific manifestos for wards number 44, 55, 67, 86, 124, 126, 136, 168, 176, 199, 214 and 238.