The Bharatiya Janata Party is expected to release their party's election manifesto on Monday in the presence of party national president JP Nadda, chief minister Basavaraj Bommai and former CM Yediyurappa, with just nine days left for the polls to commence.
So far, Congress has announced its five major poll promises -- free travel for women in public transport buses, 200 units of free power to all households (Gruha Jyoti), Rs 2,000 monthly assistance to the woman head of every family (Gruha Lakshmi), 10 kg of rice free to every member of a BPL household (Anna Bhagya), and Rs 3,000 every month for graduate youth and Rs 1,500 for diploma holders (both in the age group of 18-25) for two years (YuvaNidhi), on coming to power in the state.
The JD(S) too released its “Janata Pranalike” (People’s Manifesto) for the Assembly polls in Karnataka promising to restore four per cent reservation for Muslims, to “throw out” Amul and to save Nandini brand calling it Kannadiga’s identity, among various assurances.
The party led by former Prime Minister H D Deve Gowda has also assured to bring in a law reserving jobs for Kannadigas in the private sector, and has promised to provide free higher education for economically-weaker students.
The ruling BJP is pulling out all stops to retain power in the state which is seen as a gateway to the south for the saffron party. It is locked in a tussle with the opposition Congress and the JD(S). Karnataka votes on May 10 and the results will be declared on May 13.
(with inputs from PTI)
