Three days before the first phase of the Lok Sabha elections, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Monday, 8 April, released its manifesto with a focus on development and national security.
Top party leaders, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, party President Amit Shah and Home Minister Rajnath Singh, were present at the launch of the manifesto – described by the BJP as its "sankalp patra" – in Delhi.
Here is a lowdown on what the BJP has promised to the people ahead of the polls.
Catch all the live updates on the BJP manifesto launch here.
1. 75 Promises to be Fulfilled by 2022
At the manifesto launch, BJP President Amit Shah said the party is going forward with 75 resolutions that can be fulfilled by the year 2022 when India completes 75 years of Independence.
2. Construction of Ram Mandir
While giving details about the manifesto promises, Home Minister Rajnath Singh said that the party's effort would be for the establishment of the Ram Mandir as soon as possible in a harmonious environment. "As far as Ram Mandir is concerned, we reiterate the promise made in the last elections. We will weigh all our options and we will try that the Ram Mandir be built as soon as possible in a harmonious environment," he said.
3. Revoking Articles 370, 35A
The manifesto said the party is committed to the abrogation of Article 370 of the Constitution, which gives Jammu and Kashmir a special status, as well as annulment of Article 35A. "We are committed to annulling Article 35A of the Constitution of India as the provision is discriminatory against non-permanent residents and women of Jammu and Kashmir," the manifesto said.
4. Passage of Citizenship (Amendment) Bill
Rajnath Singh asserted during the manifesto launch that the BJP will ensure the passage of the contentious Citizenship (Amendment) Bill in Parliament with "utmost respect to every state's cultural values." The Bill was met with massive protests in the Northeast in the recent months.
5. Simultaneous Elections
Rajnath Singh also said the party would work towards building consensus for simultaneous elections at the Centre and in states.
"We are committed to the idea of simultaneous elections for Parliament, State assemblies and local bodies to reduce expenditure, ensure efficient utilisation of government resources and security forces and for effective policy planning," the manifesto said.
6. Free-Hand Policy to Armed Forces to Deal With Militants
At the manifesto launch, Rajnath Singh said that the party is fully committed on nationalism and zero tolerance towards terrorism, with a free-hand policy to the armed forces to deal with militants.
7. Rural Support
The BJP has promised to give a yearly income support of Rs 6,000 to all farmers under the Kisan Samman Nidhi scheme, and spend Rs 25 lakh crore on rural development in next five years.
The party has also pledged to double the income of farmers by 2022 and give pension to small and marginal farmers above 60 years of age to ensure social security.
Efforts will also be made to complete all pending irrigation schemes by 2022, the manifesto said.
8. Agriculture Loans at 0% Interest
The BJP also promised short-term agriculture loans up to Rs 1 lakh at a 0 percent interest rate for 1-5 years on the condition of prompt repayment of the principal amount.
9. 33% Reservation for Women in Parliament and State Assemblies
"Women's welfare and development will be accorded a high priority at all levels within the government, and the BJP is committed to 33 percent reservation in Parliament and state Assemblies through a Constitutional amendment," the BJP's manifesto said.
10. Implementation of a Uniform Civil Code
The Home Minister also said the BJP is committed to the implementation of a Uniform Civil Code.
Other Promises
Among other promises made by the BJP ahead of the general elections are:
- Setting up of a Rashtriya Vyapar Aayog
- 100 percent electrification of all households
- LPG cylinders to all poor
- 75 new medical colleges, post-graduate institutes
- 1.5 lakh wellness centres under Ayushman Bharat
- Clean Ganga by 2022
- Rs 100 lakh crore spending on infrastructure in five years
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