BJP Releases Manifesto: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) released its manifesto, Sankalp Patra, for the Lok Sabha elections. The manifesto, named 'Modi Ki Guarantee' has elements to support the roadmap for "visit bharat", and focuses deeply on welfare and development, things that have been highlighted throughout its poll campaigning.
According to the saffron party, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other senior leaders attended the manifesto launch at the party's headquarters in New Delhi. Notably, the launch coincides with the birth anniversary of B R Ambedkar, a towering Dalit leader and architect of India's constitution.
Speaking at the release event, BJP chief Nadda said, "Today is the birth anniversary of Bharat Ratna Dr BR Ambedkar, we pay tribute to him. We all know that he fought for social justice. Following his path, the BJP always fought for social justice".
Expressing his contentment with Prime Minister Modi's leadership, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, at the manifesto launch, said, "I am happy and satisfied that under PM Modi's leadership, we have fulfilled all our promises that we made to the people of the country. Through its 'Sankalp Patra', BJP presents the roadmap to a self-respecting and capable India as well as presents its commitment to welfare and development of every section of society in the country."
Ahead of the launch, PM Modi, BJP chief JP Nadda, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, and Union Home Minister Amit Shah paid tribute to Syama Prasad Mookerjee and Deen Dayal Upadhyay.
PM Modi At 'Sankalp Patra' Launch: Top Quotes
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, soon after the saffron party unveiled its manifesto, Sankalp Patra, for Lok Sabha polls, addressed the party workers. In his address, he included various factors that have been the driving force behind this manifesto. Here are some of the top quotes from PM Modi:
"This is a very holy day. Several states in the country are celebrating the 'nav varsh'. Today, on the 6th day of Navaratri we pray to Maa Katyayani. She holds the lotus in both her hands. This coincidence is a huge blessing. Even better, it is Ambedkar Jayanti too."
"The entire country waits for the BJP's 'Sankalp Patra'. There is a big reason behind it as in the last 10 years, the BJP has implemented every point of its manifesto as a guarantee on the ground. This 'Sankalp Patra' empowers all the 4 strong pillars of developed India- Youth, women, poor, and farmers."
"It is Modi's guarantee that the free ration scheme will continue for the next 5 years."
"BJP's manifesto focuses on dignity, quality of life; quantity, quality of opportunities."
The BJP government has fulfilled the majority of its core ideological promises, including the construction of the Ram temple in Ayodhya and the repeal of Article 370, so all eyes are on how the ruling party's larger cultural and Hindutva agenda is represented in the manifesto.
The manifesto focuses primarily on youth, women, farmers, and the poor -- four "castes" Modi has frequently mentioned -- and these are among the highlights of its election promises.
The BJP formed a 27-member manifesto committee led by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, which met twice to discuss its contents after the party conducted numerous exercises, including vans sent across the country and social media campaigns, to solicit public feedback.
With the census and delimitation exercise likely to be held on the watch of the next government, political watchers are keeping an eye on whether the BJP will touch on issues like concerns of southern states over the delimitation exercise.
With its senior leaders, including Modi, emphasising the importance of population control, it remains to be seen whether the ruling party will propose any policy measures to address this issue.
The issue of the Uniform Civil Code, which is still being worked on by the BJP in some of the states it governs, was likely to be included in the manifesto.