In a bid to attract young voters in the Vadodara Municipal Corporation polls, the Congress promised in its manifesto 'date destinations' with coffee shops for 'youth, students, couples and corporates', much to the ruling BJP’s displeasure.
For an 'iconic Vadodara', the Congress has also promised a higher standard of education in the city with English-medium schools in each zone and 'ultra-modern schools offering free education'. The grand old party is also promising party halls for women’s kitty parties.
The BJP, which has been the ruling party in the Vadodara civic body since 1995, is yet to release its manifesto for the polls. Stating that the Congress election document had 'an influence of Italian culture', the saffron party said that those promises had offended the people of Vadodara. The BJP also dubbed the 'dating destinations' as 'malicious'.
“The Congress is known for making thoughtless comments during election times just to lure voters by hook or by crook. But the voters and especially the youth can tell right from wrong. Is dating a part of our culture?” Sunil Solanki, BJP General Secretary of the Vadodara unit, was quoted as saying by News18.
The Congress hit back by saying that the idea was to give people from weaker sections of the society a place to unwind. The party claims that this will help generate employment and “bridge the gap between sections of society”. Vadodara Congress President Prashant Patel accused the BJP of having a “regressive mindset”, according to the report.
Published 19 February 2021, 07:07 IST