Parties play waiting game on manifestos

​Hyderabad: Election battle is just six weeks away, but no party in Telangana has released its complete manifesto until now.The Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS), Congress, BharatiyaJanata Party (BJP), Telugu Desam Party (TDP), CPI, TJS etc. are on the same page as far as making out their winning blueprint public.

Although key leaders of these political parties have spelt out their priorities and election promises in public meetings and various forums giving a sneak preview of their manifesto in last four-five weeks, no party took the lead to release the document before others.

Reasons as pointed out by some politicos was that suggestions and views of different sections are still being collected and hence the delay. Some others also say worries over “cut and paste or copying” by the opponent has made parties to adopt a wait and watch attitude. Parties do not want key election promises finalised by them be copied as it is or with small additions by their political rival and hence have decided to keep few cards close to their chest.

It may be noted that each party has set up a manifesto committee comprising senior leaders to hold consultations with different organisations, sections, groups etc. to take down their views and suggestions, with some of the important ones to be incorporated in final manifesto. This process was commenced by parties soon after assembly was dissolved on September 6 following which various delegations have been visiting party offices everyday to submit representations and demands in writing.

The Congress, TJS, TDP, CPI that are in talks for a Mahakutami have also proposed a common agenda that will contain eight to nine points that each party would also include in their individual manifesto. Filling of one lakh government jobs in first year, monthly unemployment allowance, farm loan waiver, adopting a better method to fix MSP, more assistance to Telangana martyrs families etc. are some of the promises that are likely to form part of this agenda.

Coming to individual parties, TRS held its first manifesto meeting on September 15 and it was announced that party manifesto would be released in 15 days time. Almost five weeks passed since, but the party is yet to release its blueprint. However, TRS chief K Chandrashekar Rao announced some promises like enhancing Aasara pension amounts, distribution of monthly unemployment allowance of Rs 3,016, enhancing RythuBandhu amount etc.

Congress on the other hand announced promises like Rs 2 lakh loan waiver to farmers, filling of government jobs and issuing of mega DSC to fill teacher posts, 7 kilograms fine rice per every family member per month, free power up to 200 units for SCs/STs houses etc. Telangana Pradesh Congress Committee (TPCC) leaders are highlighting these promises in election meetings, but the party has not yet decided on releasing complete manifesto.

TJS chief Prof Kodandaram had stated earlier that his party would prepare a novel “Jayashankar Manifesto” with Ten Commandments. He added that “PragathikiPadiSutralu; KotthaRajakeeyalu-KotthaArthikaPathakalu” (Ten steps for development: New politics-New Financial Schemes), the manifesto document would outline party’s ten strategies, vision and plans for development of Telangana. The Telangana Telugu Desam Party (TTDP) had also announced its plans to release an election manifesto prioritizing women and youth in the state.

It is learnt that four opposition parties-Congress, TDP, TJS and CPI are busy in seat sharing talks and wanted this issue to be resolved at first. Hence manifesto release has been postponed. Also, representations from different quarters are still being accepted. All these parties have got a broader picture of manifesto contents, but have decided to give chance to public to express their views if not done so far and hence the delay.

Another talk doing rounds is fear of copying attractive promises of a particular party by the political rival. Congress camp cites the example of TRS deciding to implement monthly allowance to unemployed in its recent manifesto meeting. This after the pink party initially dismissed the idea floated by Congress and TJS parties to appease unemployed youth, who are unhappy with less number of government recruitments done in last four and half years. While TJS and Congress were proposing monthly allowance of Rs 3,000, TRS has promised to add Rs 16 more and give Rs 3,106 to each unemployed person in Telangana.