The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Sunday released its manifesto for the Lok Sabha elections 2024 at its headquarters in New Delhi. The manifesto - called Sankalp Patra (promise document) - banks on 'Modi Ki Guarantee', with the BJP conveying the message that the poll document embodies the guarantees the prime minister has given to the people of the country.
The party has once again reiterated its commitment to some contentious issues such as Universal Civil Code (UCC) and One Nation One Election. All the leaders including PM Modi, recounted how issues like removal of Article 370, Ram temple in Ayodhya and Triple Talaq were part of BJP's earlier manifestos, have all been fulfilled.
The party has tried to strike a balance between the development narrative and their other 'controversial' agendas. However, all this is riding on the 'Modi wave'. As in the last decade, Modi and his 'charisma' remains at the centre of all schemes, programmes and promises.
Party president JP Nadda repeatedly said that to achieve and fulfill all the promises the BJP needs 'clear mandate'. With this the party is going full force ahead towards its slogan of '400 paar' (400 cross).
The manifesto is divided into 24 groups and specific promises are made according to them, among these there are ten social groups like poor, women, youth, MSMEs, farmers, workers etc. There are 14 groups which include 'Vishwa Bandhu', secure India, developed India, quality education, development of heritage etc. After the manifesto's release, multiple videos were played to showcase the promises made in the document. Singh showed gratitude to particularly to union ministers, Nirmala Sitharaman and Ashwini Vaishnaw, both member of the manifesto committee.
What PM Modi Said At Manifesto Launch
PM Modi, in his address, expanded on all the promises made in this manifesto. He said the manifesto is based on the development of four pillars, which were earlier described as the four ‘castes’ by the PM – Youth, Women, Poor and Farmers. The focus of this manifesto is ‘dignity and quality of life’. Modi said that the BJP is committed to ‘quantity and quality of opportunity’. Many promises have been made for the four ‘castes’ including expanding 'Ayushman Bharat' scheme to cover everyone above the age of 70, three crore more houses under the PM Awas Yojana, loan limit under Mudra Yojana will be increased from 10 lakhs to 20 lakhs, under NAMO Didi yojana women in rural areas will be trained as drone pilots, will provide free electricity to crores of people.
PM also said that the year 2025 will be celebrated as Janjatiya Gaurav Varsh to commemorate the 150th anniversary of Birsa Munda. Many schemes will be announced and implemented for the benefit of tribes of India.
He also said that the party has fulfilled the promise of women’s reservation in parliament. It will now work towards the goals of One Nation, One Election and Uniform Civil Code.
Here are some key highlights of the manifesto:
· Jan Aushadhi centres will continue to provide medicines with 80% discount. More such centres will open.
· Under the Ayushman Bharat scheme, people will continue to get free healthcare upto five lakh rupees. BJP has resolved to bring all senior citizens above 70 years of age under 'Ayushman Bharat' scheme, irrespective of their class.
· Three crore more houses will be provided to the poor under the PM Awas Yojna.
· BJP provided free cooking gas cylinder to many under the Ujjawala Yojan. Taking the scheme further party vows to work at a fast pace to provide households with affordable piped gas.
· BJP's top priority will be boosting social, physical and digital infrastructure.
· Bullet train project between Ahmadabad and Mumbai will be finished at full pace. Similar bullet train projects will be built in the north, south and east of India as well.
· BJP has decided to raise loan limit under 'Mudra' scheme to Rs 20 lakh from Rs 10 lakh. This will help develop the ecosystem for Industry 4.0, and will give opportunities for rural and urban youth to start enterprises based on their interests.
· Under Swanidhi Yojana, hawkers and street vendors of small towns and villages will also get loan from banks like their urban counterparts. The amount limit for the loan will also be increased.
· Divyang or differently-able people will get priority under the PM Awas yojana. Their houses will be designed according to their special needs.
· Transgender people will also be covered under the Ayushman Bharat scheme.
· Next five years will for women’s new participation. In the last ten years 10 crore women have joined Self Help Groups (SHG). Women under these SHGs in the next five years will be trained for new opportunities in sectors like IT, education, tourism, health, retail etc.
· BJP will bring Rashtriya Sahkarita Niti (national cooperative policy). The number of cooperatives in the daily sector will be increased by many folds.
· To make India a Global Nutrition Hub emphasis will be given to superfoods. It will help the two crore farmers engaged in the superfood farming.
· For vegetable farming more clusters will be created. Same will be done for the fisher communities. Fisherfolks will be encouraged for sea weed and pearl harvesting.
· BJP is committed to make India a Food Processing Hub. They will become the new engines of growth for rural economy.
· Tamil language is our pride; BJP will make every effort to enhance its global reputation.
