AAP unveils Mumbai manifesto, vows to decriminalise gay sex

Decriminalisation of gay sex by repealing section 377 of IPC, bringing more women officers in police force and "zero tolerance" towards crimes against women are some of the promises made by Aam Aadmi Party which on Thursday unveiled its Mumbai-centric "sankalp patra".

"Mumbai is special(in itself),"activist-turned-politician and AAP's candidate from Mumbai North East seat Medha Patkar said.

The "sankalp patra" was released at a press conference in presence of the AAP candidates who are contesting from all six Lok Sabha seats in Mumbai.

Laying emphasis on eradication of corruption, the Arvind Kejriwal-led party, which is contesting all 48 seats in Maharashtra, also promised repealing of section 377 of IPC if voted to power.

"What we are doing in bedroom that should not be the concern of government," said AAP leader Mayank Gandhi who is contesting from Mumbai North West constituency on the party ticket.

The AAP manifesto also promised "enacting and implementing the Jan Lokpal Bill in Maharashtra and implementation of all recommendations made by the Justice Verma Committee".

The committee was formed after the 2012 gangrape-cum-murder of a paramedic student in Delhi.

Other points mentioned in the manifesto include: introduction of more women officers at all levels in police force; ensuring collaboration in citizens to form neighbourhood watch groups so as to facilitate effective policing, and zero tolerance to violence against women.

Photograph: Reuters