Congress releases UP poll manifesto, promises corruption-free state

Lucknow, Jan 31 (ANI): The Congress party on Tuesday released its election manifesto for ttar Pradesh, promising to develop the state's neglected infrastructure, and make it a orruption-free state, if elected.

Speaking on the occasion, Union Minister Kapil Sibal said: "The Congress party's manifesto romises to make Uttar Pradesh a corruption-free state. We will do everything in our capacity o improve people's standard of living here if we come to power after the assembly elections."

He further said the party's manifesto promises to bring the office of state's chief minister under he ambit of the Lokayukta.

"We will also concentrate on infrastructure building, revamping road and rail network in the tate," he added.

The manifesto also ensures full and timely implementation of the UPA Government policy of 4.5 er cent quota for backward minorities.

It also promises a sub quota for the "most oppressed within the SCs" in government jobs and ducation. Along with this, STs too have not been neglected, the party has committed to ursuing a case for reinstatement of nine tribes listed as SCs- Kols, Majhis, Korwas, Kuraus, hangars, Macheras, Ghasiyas, Badis and Koarais.

Sibal also said that if the Congress was elected, a person to establish 500 models schools and ill over one lakh teacher vacancies would be launched.

The manifesto promised free electricity connection to below poverty line SC and ST families nd sub-quota for most backward Dalits, besides 20 lakh jobs in the next five years.

The manifesto also promised an equitable solution to the Ram Janambhoomi-Babri Masjid ispute and 50 per cent reservation for women in Panchayat polls.

The Uttar Pradesh polls are being viewed as an opportunity for major parties to re-establish heir foothold in the country's fifth largest and most populous state.

Polls in Uttar Pradesh will be conducted between February 8 and March 3, and the counting ill take place on March 6.

Uttar Pradesh will elect a new 403-member state assembly in March, and the poll results will roadly indicate trends for the 2014 general elections. (ANI)