Opposition leader Kamal Nath slams BJP's Madhya Pradesh election manifesto

As the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) released its manifesto for the upcoming Madhya Pradesh Assembly elections on Saturday, Opposition leader Kamal Nath said that the 'sankalp patra' does not mention an increase in the monthly financial aid under the Ladli Bahna Yojana to Rs 3,000, as was promised by Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan.

"It takes a lot of courage to lie. Shivraj ji, you have not left any city or town in Madhya Pradesh where you have not put up hoardings and banners promising to give Rs 3,000 to your sisters (under Ladli Bahna Yojana). But today, when you released the Sankalp Patra, you didn't make any announcement (on it)," Nath said.

The women beneficiaries of the Ladli Bahna Yojana currently receive Rs 1,250 per month. But Chief Minister and BJP leader Shivraj Singh Chouhan stated that this would gradually be increased to Rs 3,000 per month.

Kamal Nath, the state unit chief of the opposition party in Madhya Pradesh, also alleged that many of the promises mentioned in the 96-page manifesto had been copied from the Congress.

Among other things, the promises in BJP’s manifesto include a range of promises, such as providing cooking gas cylinders at Rs 450 for beneficiaries of the Ladli Behna and Ujjwala schemes, and offering free education up to post-graduation level for girls from impoverished families.

Kamal Nath further criticized the BJP for failing to address issues such as farmer loan waivers, filling two lakh vacant posts, supplying 100 units of power for free and 200 units at half rates, giving 27% reservation to Other Backward Classes, and reintroducing the Old Pension Scheme.

"What are you doing on these issues? I know you haven't answered my questions in 18 years of your rule and won't do so today either. But the people of Madhya Pradesh will give a befitting answer," Nath said attacking the ruling BJP.

Kamal Nath also assured women that they need not worry as the Congress, if elected, would provide them with Rs 1,500 per month under the 'Nari Samman Yojana' and supply gas cylinders at Rs 500 from January 1.

The Madhya Pradesh Assembly elections are scheduled for November 17, with the vote count set for December 3. The BJP's manifesto release comes as part of the party's campaign strategy in the lead-up to these crucial polls.