New Delhi: The battle for Himachal Pradesh has been a fierce contest between Congress and the Bhartiya Janta Party (BJP). The hill state has been under Virbhadra Singh's chief ministership since 2012 and voting on Thursday will be a test for the state's longest-serving CM.
Here is quick recap what the two parties - Congress and BJP - have promised in their manifestos.
Congress -
* The manifesto, released by Virbhadra Singh, has claimed that the Congress fulfilled 95 per cent of promises made in the pre-2012 election manifesto.
* Congress has also promised interest-free loans to farmers of Rs 1 lakh to purchase agricultural products and 90 per cent subsidy on anti-hail nets.
* 1.50 lakh jobs for youth in the next five years, increase in daily wages to Rs 350 and free laptops to 50,000 college students.
* Increase of pension by 5, 10 and 15 per cent after the age of 65, 70 and 75 years.
* Contract employees and daily wagers would be regularised after two and three years respectively.
* Decentralisation of administrative and financial powers down to panchayat level.
* Four times the market value as compensation for land acquired by the state government.
* Appointment of anti-corruption grievances commissioner.
BJP -
* The manifesto, released by Union Minister Arun Jaitley, promises a 24-hour helpline to the CMs office and improvement in law and order situation in the state.
* It says BJP will remove corruption and mafia raj, and that BJP legislators would declare all their assets publicly.
* The manifesto also promises free 'Chardham Yatra' for senior citizens and social security schemes.
* Safe drinking water, emergency medical services in far-flung areas, improved road connectivity are also assured in the manifesto.
* The BJP has also committed to giving laptops and free WiFi, and organise job fairs for the unemployed.
While BJP has attacked Congress for including fight against corruption in their manifesto at a time when the CM faces corruption charges, Virbhadra Singh has called out charges against BJP's CM candidate Prem Kumar Dhumal's son. While corruption indeed has been a major talking point, development, infrastructure and jobs are also key focus areas for both parties.
