The ruling Bharatiya Janta Party (BJP) released its manifesto today for the Lok Sabha elections starting Thursday. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, BJP chief Amit Shah, Home Minister Rajnath Singh, Foreign Minister Sushma Swaraj, and other senior party leaders attended the mega event to launch the “Sankalp Patra” or document of promises. The title of the manifesto is- Sashakt Bharat (Empowered India).
This time, BJP’s manifesto mainly contains 75 promises with the people of the country. The party has the vision to fulfill the promises until 2022. The ruling party is keeping up with “Good governance” formula. Farmers, Security, health for all, education for all, women empowerment, and united India are key-points. But unlike Congress, the party doesn’t believe in providing direct pay off schemes to the poorest.
Congress manifesto emphasizing on a promise of giving Rs. 72,000 to the poorest households in India rather than providing solid employment and empowerment plan. On the other hand, the BJP promises work for different sections of the society, especially farmers, youth and women.
In 2014, the BJP had released its manifesto on the first day of the nine-phase polls but this time the Election Commission has put a 48-hour gag order as part of the model code and it applies to each of the seven phases over the next six weeks.
Key-points of BJP Sankalp Patra
BJP’s manifesto majorly contains 12 major points which the government of India needs to work on.
- Nation First– the field contains Zero tolerance of terrorism, security, soldier welfare, amendment bill combating left-wing extremism, and J&K article 370.
- Farmer Welfare- Interest-free Kisan Credit loan is on top. Expansion of irrigation, welfare policies, technological development in agriculture, pension after 60 and MSP.
- BJP vision-India as 3rd largest economy- Road map for 5 trillion dollar economy, low tax, and investment, boosting make in India, MSME, entrepreneurship, international trades.
- Infrastructure- BJP considers it as the foundation of New India. Urban development, swachh bharat, Jal Shakti, roads, railways, energy, and digital connectivity are the sectors in which the BJP government wants to work.
- Healthy India-Determined India- Health for all, making health care accessible, shorting down Doctor-Patient ratio, opening 75 medical colleges, eliminating tuberculosis.
- Good governance- Simultaneous elections, Corruption free Bharat, implementing cooperative federalism, development of North-Eastern states.
- Yuva Bharat- Tomorrow’s India- Creating opportunities for youth, youth in governance, sports.
- Education for all- Primary and secondary education, Higher education, and skill development.
- Women empowerment- Women lead development, ensuring equal rights, ensuring dignified lives for women, reservation, and triple talaaq.
- Inclusive development- Ensuring justice for all, Sabka vikas, welfare of poor, enabling divyangs, commitment to geographical equality, empowerment of transgenders.
- Cultural heritage- Ram Mandir, Namami Gange, Sabrimala, promoting Yoga globally.
- Foreign Policy- Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam, combating terrorism on global forum, permanent membership of United Nation Security Council.
BJP campaign and Manifesto
On Sunday, in a build-up towards the manifesto launch, the BJP showcased campaign slogan Phir Ek Baar Modi Sarkar, (Modi government, once again), at the party headquarters in Delhi.
“The first theme of the campaign will be ‘Kaam Karne Wali Sarkar’. Also, we formed a government in 2014 – an era of corruption, and ran an honest government. This is why the second theme is Imaandar Sarkar.
The third theme of the campaign will be Bade Faisale lene Waali Sarkar since this government has taken the tough decisions which include development and national security,” Union Minister Arun Jaitley said after launching the campaign slogan.
Terrorism and security-related issues have been the focus of the party’s poll campaign since Pulwama attack and the retaliatory Balakot strike across the Line of Control.
