Telangana Assembly Elections 2018
Major parties appear to be engaged in a game of one-upmanship in poll-bound Telangana to woo the electorate with farmers and unemployed youth being among key sections getting extra weightage.
The ruling Telangana Rashtra Samiti (TRS) led by caretaker Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao, has promised farm loan waiver of up to Rs one lakh, if the party returns to a second term in office.
The Congress, leading the "Prajakutami" (People's Alliance) that comprises TDP, Telangana Jana Samiti and CPI, and the BJP, going it alone in the December 7 elections, have said they would waive farm loans up to Rs two lakh.
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The Congress has promised a dole of Rs 3,000 per month for the unemployed youth, while the TRS and BJP are quoting a figure of Rs 3,016 and Rs 3,116, respectively.
All parties have sought to reach out to various sections of society in the "battle for Telangana".
The BJP has promised free distribution of one lakh cows for people every year and enactment of a legislation to prevent forcible religious conversions and steps to send back Rohingyas and those who have illegally entered from Bangladesh.
The Congress has promised free power supply to all temples, mosques, churches and other places of worship, and judicial powers to the Wakf Board, if it came to power.
The Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) has promised farm loan waiver up to Rs 1 lakh, while the 'People's Front' (comprising Congress, TDP, CPI and TJS) has assured loan waiver up to Rs 2 lakh at one go. The Front also promised provision of interest-free loans.
The BJP has also promised loan waiver up to Rs 2 lakh besides free borewells or pump sets to farmers.
The People's Front had also announced reducing the age limit under the social security pension scheme of 'Aasara' from 65 to 58 years. It promised pension of Rs 2,000 per month to senior citizens and Rs 3,000 to persons with disabilities.
K Chandrasekhar Rao-led TRS said the eligibility age under the 'Aasara' scheme would be reduced from 65 to 57 years. The party promised pension of Rs 2,016 per month to senior citizens and others under the Aasara scheme. The persons with disabilities will get Rs 3,016 per month, the party said.
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), on the other hand, said it would provide Rs 2,000 pension to those above 55 years of age in case of Below Poverty Line (BPL) families. Widows will get Rs 3,000 per month, it said.
