Pune: The Congress on Thursday released its manifesto for the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) elections, promising zero property tax for houses measuring up to 500sqft, free bus services for women, and a crackdown on ‘koyta gang’ to improve law and order in the city.Addressing reporters after releasing the manifesto, former chief minister and senior Congress leader Prithviraj Chavan criticised the ruling BJP for failing in civic governance. “Despite being in power, the BJP failed to promote civic development, and instead, the city’s infrastructure has collapsed. Pune could have attracted semiconductor manufacturing units, but the ruling party failed to bring any major investment. On the contrary, companies are leaving the city due to traffic congestion and crumbling infrastructure,” Chavan said.According to party leaders, the new initiatives of the party include a facilitation centre for gig workers and dedicated rest and sanitation facilities for unorganised sector workers at Majur Adda (labour assembly points). The party has also promised to set up a Molkarin Bhavan—a dedicated facility for domestic workers—and introduce a Mahanagar Health Card to enable residents to access services at civic hospitals and health centres.The manifesto also outlines plans to strengthen existing schemes, including increasing scholarships for meritorious students and reserving housing in municipal projects for sportspersons. The Congress has further committed to completing the High Capacity Mass Transit Route (HCMTR) project while cancelling proposed tunnel projects, which it claims would damage the city’s environment.Congress leaders also targeted the BJP and the NCP, accusing them of misleading voters.“The BJP and NCP are allies in the state govt but are contesting against each other in civic polls. Their leaders sit together in cabinet meetings, yet blame each other for civic and law-and-order failures,” said Satej Patil, the party’s Pune election coordinator.“If they truly believe in what they say, they should declare that they will not form a post-poll alliance after the municipal elections,” he added.
