‘Grand illusion’: BJP’s barb at Cong manifesto

Guwahati: Battle for panchayat elections in the state is gaining momentum with political parties engaging in a war of words as the dates for the polls approach.
Days after Congress released its manifesto, promising true decentralisation of power to panchayats and proper implementation of schemes like MGNREGA, BJP said Congress's manifesto is a "grand illusion draped in deception."
The saffron party, in a statement, said, "Congress, which failed to field candidates in most regions for the panchayat elections, dreaming of victory in the upcoming polls is nothing but an illusion. The fact that the party, accused of selling tickets for lakhs of rupees in minority-dominated areas, is struggling to find candidates in indigenous localities proves once again that it has completely strayed from its foundational roots."
BJP's state spokesperson Lakhya Konwar said the BJP-led alliance already created a new record by winning unopposed in several regions, clearly reflecting the vast difference in public support between the two parties. NDA already won 37 ZPC and 288 anchalik panchayats unopposed.
"Even in the few areas where Congress dreams of winning, people will ultimately vote for NDA candidates in the interest of holistic development," he added.
Describing the manifesto as a "document of self-deception," Konwar said if Congress truly worked for grassroots development during its long years in power, there would have been no need for BJP to step in and do the heavy lifting.
He criticised Congress for being preoccupied with cheap politics involving giveaways like blankets, yarn and lungis, instead of focusing on genuine developmental work, leading to its disconnect from the masses.
Konwar added that instead of strengthening the panchayati raj system while in power, Congress decentralised corruption. "Now, being out of power, their promise to reform the panchayat system is laughable," he added.