BJP Releases Manifesto: Promises Simultaneous Elections and Uniform Civil Code

Modi reiterated his government’s policy of expanding the country’s social, digital, and physical infrastructure, as outlined in the manifesto

Chairman of the manifesto committee and senior BJP leader Rajnath Singh, said that the BJP government, under Modi’s leadership in 2014 or 2019, fulfilled every promise

Sharad Singh

New Delhi, The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) issued its declaration paper on Sunday, termed as the “Sankalp Patra.” Prime Minister Narendra Modi, BJP President JP Nadda, Defense Minister Rajnath Singh, Home Minister Amit Shah, and Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman launched the manifesto.

Prime Minister Modi, also a senior leader of the BJP, described the Sankalp Patra as a mission to fulfill the aspirations of 140 crore Indians. He stated that the manifesto is inspired by the aim to empower the youth, women, poor, and farmers. The BJP aims to provide people with a dignified life and new opportunities. Ensuring strict action against corruption in the next term, both at the state and central levels, was emphasized.

Addressing central ministers, party leaders, workers, and the media on this occasion, Prime Minister Modi reiterated the commitment to a developed India. He reiterated his government’s policy of expanding the country’s social, digital, and physical infrastructure, as outlined in the manifesto. He announced that his government would introduce a national cooperation policy, bolster support for Shri Annapurna, and extend the bullet train to Eastern, Northern, and Southern India after Western India. The “Vande Bharat Metro” will be expanded in three variants: sleeper, chair car, and metro.

The Prime Minister pledged to continue the current government’s initiatives and expand them further. Under the Ayushman Bharat scheme, people over 70 years of age will receive free treatment. Three crore new houses will be built, and affordable gas will be delivered to people’s homes through cheap pipeline connections. The Mudra loan will be doubled to Rs. 20 lakh, and three crore new millionaires will be created. Women athletes will be encouraged, Indigenous People’s Pride Day will be celebrated, an Eklavya School will be established, and Tamil language will be promoted. Essential medicines will continue to be available at 80% reduced prices through Jan Aushadhi centers, and free rations will be provided to poor families under the Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana.

During the launch of the Lok Sabha Election 2024 manifesto, the Prime Minister handed over copies of the manifesto to representatives of the youth, women, farmers, and the poor. The BJP’s manifesto emphasizes self-sufficiency in the production of pulses, food, oil, and vegetables and the expansion of health facilities.

Rajnath Singh, chairman of the manifesto committee and senior BJP leader, said that the BJP government, under Modi’s leadership in 2014 or 2019, fulfilled every promise. The 2019 manifesto not only had a vision for India’s 75th year of independence but also outlined India’s outline for 2047. He highlighted the successful work towards making India strong and self-reliant under Modi’s leadership over the past five years.

He said that for the preparation of the manifesto, suggestions were received through three mediums: a large number of online inputs, around four lakh suggestions through the NaMo app, and about ten lakh suggestions via videos. A total of 1.5 million suggestions were received by the committee, out of which some key topics were selected, and work was done on them.

On this occasion, BJP President JP Nadda said that the Bharatiya Janata Party advances its ideological journey every election. From integral humanism to antyodaya, and adding to the Prime Minister’s “Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas, and Sabka Prayas,” the BJP has advanced its policies. He stated that over the past ten years, under the Prime Minister’s leadership, the government has worked for the last person standing in the villages, the poor, and society’s marginalized sections. Since the time of Jan Sangh, the BJP has worked towards ensuring social justice along the path laid down by Dr. Ambedkar. He added that the ten years of BJP rule are evidence that Modi’s guarantee is a guarantee fulfilled.

some of the key promises made by the saffron party

• The BJP has promised to speed up infrastructural development along the China, Myanmar and Pakistan borders. “We will introduce technological solutions on fenced portions to make fencing smarter,” the manifesto stated.

• The BJP guaranteed that India will be the third largest economic power. “Within a decade, we have brought Bharat from 11th to 5th largest economic power. This was possible due to right policies, focussed execution and meticulous planning,” it said.

• The manifesto also promised the implementation of the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA).

• The BJP promised to implement the Uniform Civil Code (UCC). “Bringing Uniform Civil Code: Article 44 of the Constitution lists Uniform Civil Code as one of the Directive Principles of State Policy. BJP believes that women will only get equal rights, and the BJP reiterates its stand to draw a Uniform Civil Code, drawing upon the best traditions and harmonizing them with the modern times,” it said.

• The manifesto also vowed the implementation of the One Nation, One Election. “We have set up a committee to examine the issues of conducting simultaneous elections and will work towards the implementation of the recommendations,” PM Modi said.

• The BJP said it is committed to strengthening institutes like IITs, IIMs and AIIMS. “We will continue to upgrade the existing institutions through focused funding, capacity building, infrastructure upgradation and dedicated research grants,” the manifesto read.

• The BJP said it will provide also free ration to 80 crore citizens for the next five years under the PM Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana.

• Free electricity to poor households under PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana was another key promise in the manifesto

• The BJP also promised to ensure creating infrastructure like women’s hostels and creches near industrial and commercial centres to promote participation of women in the workforce. It further added that it will expand health services to ensure a healthy life for women. These services will be focussed on preventing and reducing cases of Anaemia, Breast Cancer, Cervical Cancer and Osteoporosis.

• BJP promised to systematically implement the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam to ensure representation for women in the Parliament and State Legislatures.

• The Ayushman Bharat scheme will cover all senior citizens and provide them access to free and quality healthcare.

• The manifesto also promised to increase MSP on crops from time to time. “We are providing annual financial assistance of Rs 6,000 under PM Kisan Samman Nidhi Yojana. We are committed to sustained financial support for our farmers,” it said.

• The BJP vowed to include auto, taxi, truck and other drivers in all social security schemes.

• The manifesto featured India’s Olympics bid in 2036, implementation of NEP, and law against paper leaks, among other promises.