BJP manifesto ''old wine in new bottle'': Rathore

Shimla, Dec 7 (UNI) Terming the manifesto released by the BJP for the ensuing Assembly election in Himacchal Pradesh ''an old wine in a new bottle'', State Congress Committee General Secretary Kuldeep Singh Rathore today said it seemed that the saffron party released it for the sake of a formality.

Talking to mediapersons here, he said: ''The manifesto does not include anything novel. The BJP has given prominence to such issues, most of which have already been implemented or are being executed by the Congress government.'' The BJP has given a slogan stating ''Brashtachar Mukt and Vikas Yukt'' governance, but the way large-scale corruption was witnessed during its previous regime, their slogan should be ''Brashtachar Yukt and Vikas Mukt governance,'' he remarked.

Mr Rathore claimed issues pertaining to employment generation, boosting power and tourism sector, reservation for women, employee welfare schemes, thrust on professional and technical education and others included in the manifesto were already being executed by the Congress.

The Congress government had implemented the concept of social welfare in letter and spirit in the state, he claimed.

''Our government has given a financial benefit of Rs 900 crore to employees and a memorandum of understanding for road development in state of about Rs 800 crore has also been signed by the Congress,''Mr Rathore said.

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