Election manifesto: BJP’s urban vision – AI to curb corruption, no tax hike, one week building permits

The Telangana BJP, on Friday, unveiled its urban local body election manifesto, promising that there would be no increase in any taxes, including house tax, if the party was voted to power in municipalities and municipal corporations.

Party president N. Ramchander Rao said that the manifesto — Viksit Telangana: BJP Sankalp Patra 2026 — outlines a model of urban governance centred on transparency, basic infrastructure, and technology-driven services.

Mr. Rao said that building permits would be issued within a week through an online, single‑window system, with extensive use of AI to curb corruption. Measures would also be taken to tackle civic issues caused by mosquitoes, pigs, monkeys, and stray dogs. The party also promised 100% garbage segregation, expansion of underground sewerage networks, and the strengthening of SHE Teams across all urban local bodies.

Strengthening local community health centres, establishing skill development centres, conducting regular job fairs, and creating one multi‑purpose park in each urban local body form key components of the manifesto. Protection of temple lands and removal of encroachments also find mention.

“This is an action plan to transform Telangana’s cities and towns into world‑class urban spaces. When amenities, infrastructure, employment, education, and healthcare improve, the quality of life improves significantly,” Mr. Rao said.

Corruption‑free governance

The core objective of the manifesto is corruption‑free governance through full utilisation of Finance Commission grants and an efficient administrative system that ensures benefits reach citizens directly. Water supply, drainage, roads, parks, and community halls would be prioritised for development. “We want to send a clear message to the people, and we believe they are ready to give the BJP an opportunity,” he said.

Later, addressing a campaign meeting in Narsapur (Medak), he accused the two parties of having a “secret understanding”, citing what he called delays in the probes into the phone‑tapping case and the Kaleshwaram project. He challenged the government to hand over the entire project to the CBI, alleging that only three barrages were under investigation.