Our Correspondent / New Delhi
Opposition parties including Congress have termed BJP manifesto as another Jumla (gimmick) for the people of India. Briefing media in New Delhi, senior Congress leader Ahmed Patel said senior BJP leaders were silent on demonetisation, GST and black money.
He wondered what happened to BJP’s promises of employment, and uplifting the state of farmers, youth and traders.
Mr Patel said BJP manifesto focuses on just one man while Congress manifesto was centred around the upliftment of the general public. He said instead of the manifesto, BJP should release ‘machinima’ and give an account of their delivery in the last five years.
Congress spokesperson Randeep Surjewala reminded BJP of its promises in different sectors and accused it of failing to deliver on every front. He said BJP uses the issue of Ram Mandir ahead of every election. He said BJP had promised that one dollar will equal 40 rupees but after 5 years, the Indian currency is the weakest in Asia.
He also said BJP promised 2 crore jobs annually but unemployment is the highest in 45 years. He said 125 crore Indians are questioning 125 promises made by Mr Modi in 2014.
CPI(M) said BJP was using Ram Mandir in the manifesto to sharpen communal polarisation.
Talking to media party General Secretary Sitaram Yechury said that BJP has been using this issue for the last 30 years for what he called consolidating the Hindutva vote bank. He said, the ruling party’s manifesto is a fresh set of tall promises.
He added that the people will never forget the adverse decisions of NDA government affecting their lives and livelihoods in the last five years.
BJP releases manifesto for LS polls
BJP on Monday released its election manifesto, Sankalp Patra, for the Lok Sabha election, at party headquarters in New Delhi, focusing on its commitment towards national security, doubling farmers income and welfare of women.
The party has reiterated its commitment towards zero tolerance against terrorism and extremism and empower security forces in combating terrorism in its manifesto and effective steps to prevent illegal immigration in the northeastern states.
Sharing the highlights of the Sankalp Patra, senior party leader and Union Minister Rajnath Singh said, the party when voted to power, will provide short-term new agriculture loans up to one lakh rupees at a zero interest rate for up to five years on the condition of prompt repayment of the principal amount.
He said PM-Kisan Samman Nidhi Yojana will be implemented for all the farmers in the country and pension will be ensured for small and marginal farmers after 60 years of age.
The Sankalp Patra envisages creating new opportunities of employment by providing more support to the 22 major ‘Champion Sectors’ identified as the main drivers of the Indian economy. He said the party has promised to launch a new scheme to provide collateral-free credit of up to 50 lakh rupees for entrepreneurs.
He said one Medical College or Post Graduate Medical College will be set up in every district, through public or private participation, by 2024. The coverage of Ayushman Bharat will be increased to include all Anganwadi workers and ASHA workers to ensure improved health and social support system. Pradhan Mantri Shram Yogi Maandhan scheme will be expanded to cover all small shopkeepers.
He expressed party’s commitment to annulling Article 35A of the Constitution as the provision is discriminatory against non-permanent residents and women of Jammu and Kashmir.
Mr Singh added that women’s welfare and development will be accorded high priority at all levels within the government, and the BJP is committed to 33 percent reservation in parliament and state assemblies through a constitutional amendment. He said as far as Ram Mandir is concerned, BJP will explore new possibilities to build the temple as soon as possible in a harmonious environment.
Senior BJP leader and Prime Minister Narendra Modi has said BJP’s multi-layered and multi-dimensional manifesto addresses needs of all sections of society. He said 75 well-defined resolutions are present in the BJP manifesto which can be fulfilled in a time-bound manner.
He said a separate Jal Shakti Ministry will be created as there is a need to think seriously about solving the water problem in many regions of the country. Mr Modi said the party shall move ahead with One Mission, One Direction to enrich the country.
He said NDA government addressed the needs of people from 2014 to 2019 and now will fulfil their aspirations. He added that good governance, easy governance, transparent governance and responsible governance have helped in increasing delivery on the ground.