BJP releases its 2019 Lok Sabha election manifesto, key highlights include Ram mandir, nixing Article 370, 35A 

Narendra Modi (4R) along with other senior BJP members during the launch of the party manifesto. 

New Delhi: The Bhartiya Janata Party has released its 2019 Lok Sabha election manifesto, on Monday, just three days ahead of the first phase of the general election. The party has focused mainly on development and national security in its manifesto, which it released at a big event in the party headquarters in New Delhi.

At the launch of the manifesto, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, BJP president Amit Shah, Union home minister Rajnath Singh, foreign minister Sushma Swaraj were present along with other senior leaders of the party. Interestingly, the BJP has termed its manifesto as “sankalp patra” (resolution document) and titled it as “Sankalpit Bharat, Sashakt Bharat” (determined India, strong India).

Speaking at the event, Modi called the manifesto a document promising good governance, security and prosperity of the country.

Shah, in his speech, claimed that India is a “mahashakti” (superpower) now. He said during Congress-led UPA’s time between 2004 and 2014, India had “dropped from the eyes of the world” but now it is “among the top six economies”. He said Modi has done justice to every sector of the society – by giving cooking gas to rural households, housing and affordable healthcare for all, and welfare schemes for farmers. Shah also said the Modi government “has shown the world how a country can be run without scams”.

Rajnath Singh who led the panel to  compose the manifesto called the document “visionary” and “practical”. On the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, the home minister said the party will try to reach consensus to pass this bill, while asserting that the BJP doesn’t wish to target any cultural or linguistic group. On the Uniform Civil Code, Singh said that the party is “fully committed” on Uniform Civil Code.

Speaking at the event, foreign minister Sushma Swaraj said the prime minister was honoured with five major prestigious awards in the last five years by different countries, including Saudi Arabia, while emphasizing that India’s prestige had touched new heights under Modi’s leadership. She cited her invitation at the Organization of Islamic Cooperation’s foreign ministers’ meeting last month.  She said India’s prestige was now very high in the world and its participation in the OIC meeting was a significant achievement, which reflected Modi’s diplomatic success.

Some of the key highlights of BJP’s manifesto are:

75 promises to be fulfilled by 2022

Amit Shah said the party is committed with 75 resolutions that can be fulfilled by the year 2022 when India completes 75 years of Independence.

Construction of Ram mandir in Ayodhya

Rajnath Singh said the party is committed to construct Ram mandir in Ayodhya. He said the party will fulfil this promise “as soon as possible in a harmonious environment”.

Revoking of Article 370 and Article 35A

The party has promised the abrogation of articles 370 and 35A of the Constitution, which gives special status to Jammu & Kashmir and enforce discriminatory against non-permanent residents and women of the state respectively.

Citizenship (Amendment) Bill to be passed

Rajnath Singh said the BJP will make every efforts to passage of Citizenship (Amendment) Bill in Parliament with harmonious approach, if voted to power. The bill seeks to give citizenship to persecuted minorities (non-Muslim) from Bangladesh, Pakistan and Afghanistan.

Implementation of a Uniform Civil Code

The BJP has promised to bring in the Uniform Civil Code, which seeks to treat all citizens’ civil rights, such as marriage, property, etc, equally, irrespective of the personal laws based on religion.

Agriculture

The manifesto vows to double farmers income by 2022. It  has also promised to give a yearly income support of RS 6,000 to all farmers under the Kisan Samman Nidhi scheme. Rs 25 lakh crore will be spent on rural development, the manifesto said. The BJP has focused on short-term agriculture loans up to rs 1 lakh at 0 per cent interest rate for 1-5 years on the condition of prompt repayment of the principal amount.

33% reservation for women in Parliament, state assemblies

The party has promised that it will provide 33 per cent reservation to women in Parliament and state assemblies through a constitutional amendment.

No compromise with terrorism

Rajnath Singh said during Manifesto Launch, that party is committed on nationalism and zero tolerance towards terrorism.

Tax slabs to be revised for the middle class

The BJP has also indicated that personal income tax slabs need to be revised for the benefit of the middle class.

The Congress released its manifesto last week.

Full video of the event in which the BJP released its manifesto:

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