India’s Aam Aadmi Party unveils manifesto

AAP leader Arvind Kejriwal says party will focus on eliminating corruption, governance issues and job creation.

AAP also said he will reform the police and judicial system and improve the safety of women [AFP]

Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has released its poll manifesto in which it described a series of social, economic, and foreign policy initiatives to its voters.

The AAP or Common Man Party announced its plans for police reform, eliminating corruption and women’s safety on Thursday during a news conference in New Delhi. 

“Aam Aadmi Party was formed out of biggest revolution against corruption in this country. It was born with a dream of corruption free India with the hope of Jan Lokpal bill (citizen’s ombudsman) being enacted. So it is our biggest target,” party chief and activist-turned-politican Arvind Kejriwal said, reading out from the 25-page manifesto.

He also said that women’s safety is the “biggest issue which has come to the forefront” and vowed that providing protection would be AAP’s priority.

While stressing on police and judicial reforms, Kejriwal said his party would ensure that all complaints are registered in a timely manner and that CCTV cameras are placed within all public areas of police stations.

“There would be a reward and punishment system in the police services,” he said.

Beyond corruption and governance issues, Kejriwal also discussed the economy.

“Job creation shall be the primary objective of the economic policies of the AAP, and to this end we will promote honest businesses and entrepreneurs,” Kejriwal said.

On foreign policy, the AAP said in its manifesto that it would not tolerate cross-border attacks.

It also called for coordinated bilateral and multilateral efforts to prosecute any attackers and a sustained dialogue at various levels to dismantle the structures that encourage violence.

The AAP has advocated enhancing India’s capacity to deter border incursions by China, with Kejriwal saying, he would come down heavily on “those practising politics in the name of religion” and called for time-bound investigation to identify the masterminds behind riots.

Source: Al Jazeera, News Agencies