CPM releases manifesto for Shimla Municipal Corporation election

Being way ahead in its campaigning than the Congress and the BJP, the CPIM once again took the lead by becoming the first party to release its election manifesto with the focus being on making the Shimla Municipal Corporation (MC) Mayor-centric and people-friendly by holding ward sabhas every three months and finding a solution to the problems of water, traffic and housing. 

Releasing the vision document and agenda for action, Chairman of the Election Manifesto Committee Kuldeep Singh Tanwar said if the CPIM found favour with the electorate as an alternative to the Congress and the BJP, the party would try to bring about a change. “We appeal to people to vote for the CPIM to have a vibrant, dynamic, pro-people and progressive Shimla MC,” he said in the presence of CPIM’s Mayoral candidate Sanjay Chauhan, Deputy nominee Tikender Panwar and CPIM state secretary Rakesh Singha. 

He said despite several amendments, the MC continued to be commissioner-centric with the Mayor and councillors having practically no say. “On the pattern of gram sabhas, we intend to hold ward sabhas every three months and constitute ward panchayats with the participation of professionals and experts from various fields to bring about an effective change,” said Tanwar. 

The polling for the 25 wards of the Shimla MC will be held on May 27 with almost 82,000 people casting their vote. CPIM is contesting in 20 wards and is supporting independent candidates in 3 wards

While focusing on the problems of the three emerged areas of Totu, Dhalli and New Shimla, Tanwar said injustice was being done to people of these areas who had till date been deprived of basic civic amenities. “Till date they continue to pay commercial water charges whereas one can explore the possibility of it being declared a special category area as it has a population of over 70,000,” he said.

The CPIM has listed the framing of a City Development Plan to provide services like regular water supply, housing for poor, better roads, sewerage network, solid waste management, parking lots, heritage conservation, enhancing green area and tourists spots and tackling monkey and stray dog menace. The CPIM also promised to provide better public transport, especially for school, college and university students.