The Bharatiya Janata Party-led National Democratic Alliance on Tuesday promised two free liquefied petroleum gas cylinders per year for poor households as part of its manifesto for the Kerala Assembly election.

BJP president Nitin Nabin said that if the alliance comes to power, it will provide one free cylinder each during the festivals of Onam and Christmas to poor families. The announcement comes amid LPG shortages in several parts of the country due to the war in West Asia.

At an event in Thiruvananthapuram, Nabin also promised a high-speed rail network connecting the state capital with Kannur and 20,000 litres of free water for every household, PTI reported.

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On the Mullaperiyar dam, the BJP said it would ensure “water for Tamil Nadu and safety for Kerala”. The 130-year-old dam has been a point of contention between the two states, with Kerala saying that the dam suffers from structural problems, and Tamil Nadu saying that it is essential for irrigation and drinking water supply to several districts in the state.

The NDA manifesto also said that all women from below poverty line households will be given a Bhakshya Arogya Suraksha Card with a monthly recharge of Rs 2,500, PTI reported. The card will be meant for use at pharmacies and grocery stores.

The manifesto also promised a welfare pension of Rs 3,000 per month to women heads of poor households, widows and senior citizens above 70 years, PTI reported.

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Assembly elections in Kerala will take place in a single phase on April 9, and the results will be announced on May 4. The BJP has allied with the Bharath Dharma Jana Sena, Kerala Kamaraj Congress, Janathipathiya Samrakshana Samithy (Thamarakshan faction) and the Twenty20 party for the election.

The NDA will take on the ruling Left Democratic Front and the United Democratic Front, the main opposition alliance.