Prime Minister Narendra Modi, BJP Chief Amit Shah and senior party leaders released the BJP’s manifesto at a mega event to launch the "sankalp patra" or document of promises, as described by the party.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, BJP Chief Amit Shah and senior party leaders released the BJP’s manifesto at a mega event to launch the "sankalp patra" or document of promises, as described by the party.
In a build up towards the manifesto launch, the BJP showcased yesterday its campaign slogan Phir Ek Baar Modi Sarkar, (Modi government, once again) at the party headquarters in Delhi. In 2014, the BJP had released its manifesto on the first day of the nine-phase polls but this time the Election Commission had ordered a 48-hour gag as part of the model code of conduct and it applies to each of the seven phases over the next six weeks.
“Women's welfare and development will be accorded a high priority at all levels within the government, and the BJP is committed to 33% reservation in parliament and state assemblies through a constitutional amendment,” according to the BJP manifesto.
The manifesto “aspires to make India the third largest economy of the world by 2030. This implies that we commit to make India a US $5 trillion economy by 2025 and US $10 trillion economy by 2032.”
The BJP manifesto reiterates BJP’s stand since the time of the Jan Sangh to the abrogation of Article 370. “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,” reads the manifesto.
The 48-page manifesto has been divided into 12 sub- titles:
1) Nation first
2) Agriculture and farmer welfare - Doubling farmers income
3) India as the world’s third largest economy
4) Infrastructure - Foundation of New India
5) Healthy India- Determined India
6) Good governance
7) Yuva Bharat- Tomorrow’s India
8) Education for all
9) Women empowerment
10) Inclusive development
11) Cultural Heritage
12) Foreign policy
Highlights from Union Minister Rajnath Singh speech at the BJP's election manifesto release:
· The sankalp patra (or manifesto) is being presented as a vision document to 130 crore Indians
· The manifesto was prepared after taking suggestions from various people
· Our image has improved internationally. We are now aiming to be among the top 3 counties in the world
· People of the country see hope in PM Narendra Modi. We have been successful in setting up a responsible, sensitive government
· BJP's manifesto has been made keeping in mind 130 crore Indians. We initiated talks with crores of people through samvad programmes and social media for suggestions to find out India's 'mann ki baat'
· We are fully committed towards nationalism. We had a zero tolerance policy towards terrorism. It will continue till terror is not eliminated completely. We will use full force to stop infiltration
· Political parties have made many promises in their manifestos, creating a crisis of credibility. We have taken this crisis of credibility as a challenge, and have largely been able to overcome it
· With all our promises made in this manifesto, we are taking a step towards building a 'New India'
· PM Narendra Modi had promised to double farmers' income and we have largely managed to fulfill it. Rs. 25 lakh crore will be spend on the development of rural areas
Highlights from BJP President Amit Shah’s speech at the BJP's election manifesto release:
· In 2014, the people of the country gave us a massive mandate and PM Modi became the PM. Despite a massive mandate on our own, we made an NDA government in 2014
· In these 5 years, the BJP has worked towards providing a decisive government under the leadership of Narendra Modi
· Our country is now counted as a world power. I believe our position in the world will improve further
· Most households in the country today have electricity. There are more than 8 crore toilets, 7 crore houses have been provided with gas connections, free medical treatment has been ensured for 50 crore poor people
· The Narendra Modi government has taken more than massive 50 steps in five years to be part of history. From 2014-19, our government has transformed the country
· The Narendra Modi government has dared to carry out surgical strikes and air strikes on the foundation of terror. It sent out a strong message that India cannot be taken lightly with strikes on terror
· India's development from 2014 to 2019 will be written in golden words in history