Gowda rolls out manifesto with promises galore

Former Prime Minister H D Deve Gowda has rolled out a populist election manifesto of the JD (S) that promises a complete loan waiver for the farmers, besides free medical insurance and free cooking gas to people below poverty line in the state.

The 16-page manifesto released by Gowda in Bangalore on Monday promises to relieve farmers from all debts. “Not only farm loans, but also housing loans obtained by farmers and other marginalized sections like village craftsmen and lower income groups will be written off if the JD (S) comes to power in the coming assembly polls”, Gowda declared.

All the people below poverty line in the state will receive free medical treatment upto Rs 200,000, besides a gas stove and cooking gas connections to their houses.

With an eye on the minority vote bank, the “please all” manifesto promises to set up a special purpose vehicle to implement the recommendations of the Sachar Committee report on minority welfare.

The JD (S) patriarch said the party is committed to finding a solution to the Bababudangiri dispute on the lines of Hubli Eidgah Maidan issue and ensure compulsory appointment of police officers belonging to minority community in communally sensitive areas.

Playing the regional card, Gowda said his party, if voted to power, would reserve 30 per cent of jobs in Information Technology (IT) and Bio Technology (BT) companies in the state.

He also promised monthly pension to senior farmers above the age of 70 years and the priests of Mosques, who had retired from service.

Instead of providing dole to unemployed youths, the JD (S) will provide Government guarantee to these youth to avail of bank loans so they can start their own small businesses. “We don’t want to spoil the youth by giving them unemployment dole. Instead, we will provide them with loans so that they can be self-reliant”, he said.

Interestingly, the JD (S) has not promised free power like the Congress and BJP. “We will not make false promises. We will provide quality power at a cheaper rate”.

Gowda has also promised to transform Bangalore into a Shanghai or Beijing by encouraging high rise structures to ease pressure on ever-shrinking land for construction of houses. “Roads will be broadened, multi-level flyovers, underpasses, footpaths and underground train will be taken up on a priority basis”, Gowda promised.