New Delhi: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Sunday (April 14) released its manifesto for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, titled “Modi ki Guarantee 2024”.
The document aims to chart the path to Viksit Bharat 2047, and includes key promises to implement the Uniform Civil Code (UCC), ‘One Nation One Election’, continuing to provide free ration to over 80 crore people for the next five years, coverage of senior citizens and the transgender community under the Ayushman Bharat Yojana, implementing laws on paper leaks and transparency in public exams and so on.
The manifesto or sankalp patra, was released by prime minister Narendra Modi at the party headquarters in New Delhi in the presence of BJP president J.P Nadda and manifesto committee chairperson and Union minister for defence Rajnath Singh.
Presenting the document, Modi said that in the last 10 years, the BJP has fulfilled all its promises and the manifesto document focuses on “empowering four strong pillars of Viksit Bharat”, including youth, women, poor and farmers.
“Our focus is on dignity of life, quality of life and employment through investment.”
The 76-page document lists the BJP government’s achievements in the last 10 years, including “taking the nation from fragile five economies to top five economies” and also lists “historic MSP hikes, massive rise in procurement or making fertilisers available to them inexpensively despite globally high prices, direct income support through PM-KISAN, safety net of Fasal Bima, renewed focus on millets, expanded access to local and global markets, a number of steps have been taken to empower them.”
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In his note in the manifesto, Modi has stated that in the next five years, the BJP will take the “nation into the top 3 economies of the world, launch a final and decisive assault against poverty, open up newer avenues of growth in various sectors, further intensify our battle against corruption, unveil the next generation of reforms, and take a number of pro-people decisions and actions. Our Sankalp Patra is more than just a collection of promises. This Sankalp Patra outlines the collective aspirations and goals of our nation, by our nation and for our nation. As you have seen in the last ten years, it is Modi’s Guarantee that every promise made is fulfilled.”
In its achievements, the document also lists “Zero major terror attacks in any city since 2014”, the reading down of Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir, “71% reduction in insurgency related violence in the Northeast”, enactment of the Bhartiya Nyay Sanhita (that replaces the Indian Penal Code), as well as the construction of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya.
Modi’s ‘guarantees’
Like the Congress manifesto released earlier this month that promises “Nyay” for different sections, the BJP manifesto also includes promises under different heads of “Modi ki Guarantee”.
For the poor, (Modi ki Guarantee for Garib Parivarjan), the BJP has promised to continue providing free rations to over 80 crore citizens for the next five years under PM Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana. Efforts will be made to becoming “Atmanirbhar in the production of pulses, edible oils and vegetables.”
The document promises to expand free housing under PM Awas Yojana, and expand health coverage under the Ayushman Bharat Yojana including for senior citizens and the transgender community.
The document also promises to expand coverage under other flagship schemes like Har Ghar Nal Se Jal, Ujjwala Yojana, PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana but does not provide any specific figures as targets.
For the middle class (Modi ki Guarantee for Middle Class Parivarjan), the manifesto promises to strengthen the RERA act, enhance startups for tier 2 and tier 3 cities, focus on road and infrastructure, develop comprehensive EV charging stations, construct new airports, affordable 5G and innovative 6G technology.
For Nari Shakti, the BJP has promised to empower three crore rural women to become Lakhpati Didis and integrate women Self-Help Groups (SHGs) with ongoing initiatives such as One District One Product (ODOP), Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs), Ekta Mall, ONDC, GEM, One Station One Product, enhancing better market access for their products.
While the document states that the Women’s Reservation Bill has been passed, it does not give a date for its implementation but states that they will “systematically implement this to ensure representation for women in the Parliament and State Legislatures.”
For the youth, the manifesto promises to implement the law to prevent paper leaks in public recruitment exams, increase transparency in the conduct of exams and “fill the government vacancies in a time bound and transparent manner.”
It has also promised to enhance startups, expand the existing Startup India Seed Fund Scheme and Startup Credit Guarantee Scheme to ensure adequate funds for our start-ups in their entrepreneurial journeys.
While it promises to increase employment in manufacturing and make India a manufacturing hub, no figures or targets have been provided here either with the document simply stating: “We will continue to work towards making Bharat a global manufacturing hub and enhance employment in this crucial sector.”
“Unprecedented investment in infrastructure has created a large number of employment opportunities. We will continue this investment for employment growth.”
Similarly, for farmers the manifesto promises to increase financial assistance under PM Kisan Samman Nidhi Yojana and strengthen PM Fasal Bima Yojana.
Despite recent protests demanding a legal guarantee for MSP, the manifesto makes no such promise and states that it will be increased “from time to time.”
Celebrate Ramayana, ‘Wed in India’ push, bid to host Olympics in 2036
The manifesto has also promised to celebrate the Ramayana across the world through a “global outreach program for documenting and promoting the tangible and intangible legacy of Lord Ram in all countries.”
“We will celebrate Ramayan Utsav with great fervour across the globe to commemorate the Pran Pratishtha of Ram Lalla,” it states.
It also states that Ayodhya will be developed as “millions of devotees from around the world visit Shri Ram Lalla in Ayodhya.”
In addition the party has also promised to promote “Wed in India” to showcase Indian traditions.
While it states that CAA and UCC will be implemented, it also does not provide a date.
It has also promised a National Litigation Policy to expedite matters in court, and increase the use of e-courts.
The manifesto also promises to facilitate IOA to bid for hosting the Olympic Games in 2036, and develop sports infrastructure like stadiums and state-of-the-art training centres to host major international sporting events.
