Rajasthan civic polls: BJP promises PNG connections for 7 lakh households, 24-hr power supply in cities

Posted on by Vividh Bharathi

Jaipur, Sep 2 (IANS) The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Wednesday released its Urban Development Sankalp Patra for the upcoming civic body elections in Rajasthan, promising accelerated urban development, improved drinking water supply, PNG connections for 7 lakh households and 24-hour domestic electricity supply in cities.

The Sankalp Patra was unveiled at the state BJP headquarters in Jaipur in the presence of State President Madan Rathore, Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma and other senior party leaders.

The BJP said the ward will be treated as the basic unit of development in every urban local body. It also promised measures to improve drinking water supply in civic bodies facing shortages and strengthen urban infrastructure. Following the state-level release, the party will issue separate Sankalp Patras for individual civic bodies, incorporating local priorities and requirements.

Among the major commitments announced by the BJP are PNG connections for 7 lakh households across Rajasthan, 24-hour domestic electricity supply in urban areas, improved drinking water supply in civic bodies facing shortages, making the ward the fundamental unit of urban development and separate local-level Sankalp Patras for individual municipal corporations, municipalities and other urban local bodies.

Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma said the party deliberately chose the term Sankalp Patra rather than simply calling it an election manifesto.

“We have released the Urban Development Sankalp Patra today because a manifesto is merely for making announcements, whereas a Sankalp Patra is about getting work done,” Sharma said. He added that the document represents a five-year commitment to the people of Rajasthan and outlines the BJP government’s approach to urban development.

Taking a political swipe at the Congress, Sharma also recalled criticism over the government’s proposal to implement ‘One State, One Election’. He said, “When I stated in the Legislative Assembly that we would implement ‘One State, One Election,’ a senior Congress leader remarked that even my uncle couldn’t pull it off. Now, let him see for himself exactly which ‘uncle’ is making ‘One State, One Election’ happen.”

State BJP President Madan Rathore said the party has the confidence of the people and would work to implement the commitments made in the Sankalp Patra. “The public trusts CM Bhajanlal Sharma’s guarantee. Today, we have released the manifesto for urban civic bodies. We do what we say. We are firmly committed to fulfilling this manifesto,” Rathore said.

He further claimed that the BJP government’s performance over the past two years would be judged against the record of previous governments. “The public knows and understands the history—what others said and did versus what we said and did,” Rathore said, adding that the people had witnessed the government’s work and understood its performance.

The BJP constituted a 13-member election manifesto committee on August 2 to prepare the urban development Sankalp Patra.

The committee included Rajya Sabha MP Ghanshyam Tiwari, former MPs Santosh Ahlawat and Rajendra Kumar Gehlot, State General Secretary Shravan Singh Bagdi, former MLA Mohanlal Gupta and former Jaipur Mayor Saumya Gurjar, among other members.

According to the party, the committee completed the document within 30 days after holding consultations and preparing the proposals for urban development. The BJP will now prepare and release separate Sankalp Patras for individual civic bodies ahead of the Rajasthan urban local body elections.

–IANS

arc/uk

Related Posts

After stone pelting incidents, security tightened in Bhopal areas; MP Police warn against rumours

Bhopal, May 15 (IANS) Security has been tightened across all sensitive areas of the Old City in Bhopal ahead of Friday prayers, as police moved to prevent any disturbance following communal tension over the assault on a Muslim youth earlier this week.

Authorities deployed additional police personnel in crowded localities and continued prohibitory measures under Section 144.

Strict vigil has been maintained around major mosques, with separate security arrangements established at every gate of Taj-ul-Masajid, Jama Masjid, and Moti Masjid. Personnel were also deployed outside Peer Gate Mosque, Kulsum Biya Mosque in Budhwara and some other parts of the city.

Friday prayers are scheduled between 12:40 p.m. and 2:45 p.m. Bhopal Police Commissioner Sanjay Kumar said police forces had been put on high alert. “Police will take strict action if crowds gather. Police will initiate stern measures against anyone disturbing the peace,” he said.

Kumar urged residents not to assemble unnecessarily and added that additional forces would be deployed alongside the district police. The police will also be keeping a close watch on social media.

He appealed to all residents of Bhopal to maintain peace and not place trust in information circulating on social media.

The heightened security follows protests and incidents of stone-pelting reported in parts of the Old City after the assault on Arif Khan on May 10. According to police, Khan was allegedly assaulted by activists linked to a Hindu organisation at a hotel in Bhopal.

He was beaten, stripped semi-naked and had ink and cow dung smeared on his face before being handed over to police personnel. The incident triggered anger among members of the Muslim community, leading to protests in several areas of the Old City since Tuesday.

All seven persons named in the FIR, including the main accused Vijendra Prajapati, were arrested on Thursday and sent to judicial remand. The accused — Vijendra Prajapati, Rohit Singh, Jeetu Kushwah, Ranjit Suryavanshi, Lala Ram Meena, Prateek and Ramesh — have been booked under Sections 299 and 291 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita for outraging religious sentiments and rioting.

Bhopal City Qazi Syed Mushtaq Ali Nadvi also appealed for maintaining peace within the city. The City Qazi stated that, in accordance with community demands, the police have arrested all the accused individuals and sent them to jail.

“Do not take any wrongful steps under the influence of provocation or misinformation,” he said. Police said all the accused persons involved in this case have already been arrested, and the investigation is underway.

–IANS

pd/dpb

CM Stalin to inaugurate renovated Valluvar Kottam in Chennai today

Chennai, June 21 (IANS) Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin will inaugurate the newly renovated Valluvar Kottam on Saturday, restoring one of Chennai’s most iconic cultural landmarks to its former glory.

Valluvar Kottam, dedicated to the celebrated Tamil poet-philosopher Thiruvalluvar, was originally constructed between 1971 and 1975 during the tenure of the late Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi.

The monument has long stood as a symbol of Tamil literary heritage and Dravidian cultural pride.

Over the past decade and a half, however, the structure had suffered from neglect and insufficient maintenance, resulting in its gradual deterioration.

In a major effort to revive the monument’s prestige and enhance its appeal as a cultural and tourist destination, the DMK government undertook a comprehensive renovation project at an estimated cost of Rs 80 crore.

A key highlight of the revamped campus is the newly constructed Ayyan Valluvar Cultural Hall, a fully air-conditioned facility spanning 20,000 sq ft with seating capacity for 1,548 people.

Designed to host literary and cultural events, the hall is expected to become a vibrant venue for the promotion of Tamil arts and scholarship.

The Kural Manimandapam, another important feature of the monument, has also received a major facelift.

All 1,330 couplets of the Thirukkural, accompanied by paraphrased explanations penned by Karunanidhi, have been artistically presented in an upgraded display.

To support academic activities and foster intellectual engagement, a Thirukkural auditorium and research library with a seating capacity of 100 persons have been introduced within the premises. These facilities will be used for literary discussions, educational events, and research initiatives.

Visitor amenities have also been modernized. A 3,336 sq ft food court has been developed to cater to tourists and event-goers, while an underground parking facility now accommodates up to 162 cars.

The iconic 106-ft-high stone chariot, a replica of the famed temple car of Thiruvarur, has been enhanced with audiovisual installations to provide an immersive cultural experience for visitors.

Officials from the Tamil Nadu Tourism and Culture departments said that the renovated Valluvar Kottam is envisioned as both a cultural hub and a community gathering space, reviving its original role as a beacon of Tamil heritage. The reopening is expected to attract scholars, tourists, students, and cultural enthusiasts alike.

–IANS

aal/skp

BJP welcomes, Cong questions interference as KCBC urges MPs to support Waqf Bill

Mumbai, March 31 (IANS) The Kerala Catholic Bishops Council (KCBC) has urged Members of Parliament (MPs) from Kerala to support the Waqf Amendment Bill, drawing varied reactions from political parties.

While the BJP welcomed the appeal, asserting that only Parliament has the authority to amend the Bill, the Congress criticised it, questioning the need for such interference.

Speaking to IANS, BJP leader Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi clarified, “Let me make one thing clear — the current Bill was made in Parliament, and only Parliament can amend it. It’s not a sacred book that can’t be reviewed or reformed.

“This is a law passed by Parliament, and amendments are part of the democratic process. Some people are creating confusion, suggesting that if there is any mistake, changes will be made. But the fact is, the country is moving forward with these amendments, and we want to reassure everyone that this will not hurt anyone’s religious beliefs.”

Congress leader Hussain Dalwai, however, criticised the KCBC’s stance, saying, “There’s no need for such interference. MPs will not be swayed by this appeal. There are many trusts and organisations, primarily managed by Christian communities. It’s wrong to assume the government should interfere in their matters.

“Some attempts are being made to align Christian communities with the BJP, but people won’t believe it because the BJP’s current politics are seen as being against them, Muslims and Dalits.”

The KCBC’s appeal focussed on the long-standing Munambam Waqf dispute, a legal battle over land that residents claim they have lived on for generations.

The management of Farook College, which sold the land to Munambam residents, maintains that the land was received as a gift. However, under the existing Waqf Act, claims can be raised against such properties, causing uncertainty for the residents.

In a statement, the KCBC urged MPs to support amendments to the Waqf Bill, emphasising the need to resolve the Munambam issue.

“There should be a solution to the Munambam issue. The Farook College management has asserted that the land was received as a gift. MPs should cooperate to amend the Waqf Bill, which has provisions to raise claims against such properties,” it said.

The appeal received attention from Union Finance Minister, Nirmala Sitharaman, who acknowledged the KCBC’s stance on social media, calling it “a welcome step.”

She highlighted the Bishops’ demand to amend Sections of the Waqf Act that they view as “unfair” and “anti-constitutional.”

Union Minister Kiren Rijiju also supported the KCBC’s request, stating, “Lawmakers should address the struggles of Munambam residents. This amendment does not target any particular community. The government remains committed to protecting the rights of all citizens.”

–IANS

jk/rad