In a significant move ahead of the upcoming civic polls, the Congress party unveiled its election manifesto for the Kolhapur Municipal Corporation (KMC) on Wednesday morning. The document, which promises a range of populist and infrastructural measures, is notably compiled from suggestions provided directly by the city's residents.
Key Promises to Empower Women and Citizens
The manifesto places a strong emphasis on attracting female voters with several assured schemes. A major highlight is the promise of free travel for female students on Kolhapur Municipal Transport (KMT) buses. Additionally, the party has pledged comprehensive health coverage for women, the construction of clean public toilets, and the establishment of a dedicated market for women's self-help groups to sell their products.
Beyond gender-centric policies, the agenda outlines broader civic improvements. The Congress has vowed to provide a corruption-free government and work towards installing a domestic gas pipeline network for the city. A long-pending issue of merging fringe villages adjacent to the city into the KMC limits has also been included. On this, MLC Satej Patil stated, "Citizens from rural areas will be taken into confidence, and a positive follow-up will be done with the state government to resolve this issue."
Fiscal Reforms and Traffic Management Plans
Addressing civic finances, the manifesto identifies a significant revenue leak. Patil pointed out that around 10% of properties in the city are not being charged property tax. The party has committed to bringing these properties under the appropriate tax slab to boost municipal revenue.
To tackle the perennial problem of traffic congestion, the Congress has proposed implementing separate parking measures for weekdays and weekends. This tailored approach aims to manage the varying traffic volumes and improve mobility within Kolhapur.
BJP's Sharp Counterattack on Congress Claims
The manifesto release was met with immediate criticism from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Rajya Sabha MP Dhananjay Mahadik launched a pointed attack, questioning the Congress's ability to deliver on its promises. He highlighted that the Congress does not have a government either at the state or the centre, and not a single MLA from the district is currently in the State Assembly.
Mahadik also targeted MLC Satej Patil directly, asking, "MLC Satej Patil was in control of the Kolhapur Municipal Corporation for 15 years, so why didn't he do it then?" This remark challenges the timing and credibility of the promises, suggesting they are election-centric rather than a genuine development plan.
With the manifesto now public, the stage is set for a heated electoral battle in Kolhapur, where governance records and future promises will be rigorously debated by the contending parties.
