The BJP released its manifesto for the Lok Sabha polls on Monday, 8 April, with a focus on issues of development and national security. Union Minister Rajnath Singh, enlisting the highlights of the BJP manifesto, said that the Uniform Civil Code and Citizenship Amendment Bill will be passed in the next five years. He added that the government will “try to build Ram Mandir soon.”
“The BJP manifesto lists 75 promises for 2022, to mark 75 years of India’s independence,” said Amit Shah, releasing the manifesto.
Top party leaders, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi and party chief Amit Shah, were present at the launch of the manifesto – described by the BJP as its “sankalp patra” – in Delhi.
Snapshot
- The BJP has described its manifesto as ‘sankalp patra’
- On Sunday, Arun Jaitley announced the party’s tag line for the elections – “Phir ek bar, Modi sarkar”
- The Congress released its ‘crowd-sourced’ manifesto earlier on 2 April
- Lok Sabha elections is scheduled to begin on 11 April, and the EC has imposed a ban on releasing manifestos 48 hours prior to it
12:59 PM, 08 Apr
BJP Will Make Jal Shakti Ministry, Says PM Modi
The BJP government will make a Jal Shakti Ministry, said PM Narendra Modi,.
Water scarcity is a crisis we are facing, said Modi, adding that the problem is “deeper problem” in some states.
12:48 PM, 08 Apr
One Vision, One Direction: PM Narendra Modi on BJP's Manifesto
Thanking the Manifesto Committee headed by Rajnath Singh, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that BJP’s ‘sankalp patra’ is “time-bound and well-defined.” He stressed that the theme of the manifesto is “one vision, one direction.”
“I am grateful to the nation for providing me support in the past five years. It is because of the people of the country that we have been able to fulfil our promises. We want the people to hold us accountable and hence we have set out to achieve 75 goals by 2022.”
-PM Narendra Modi
12:44 PM, 08 Apr
Sushma Swaraj Highlights Positive Interaction With Islamic Nations
Highlighting the diplomatic overtures, awards for PM Modi and invitation to the OIC to make a point about the BJP government’s “positive interaction” with the Islamic nations.
“In the last five-years PM Narendra Modi has been awarded with five top international awards, including awards from Saudi Arab, UAE, South Korea.”
-Sushma Swaraj, Union Finance Minister
She added that while Narendra Modi recognised the pulse of the nation, Rahul Gandhi does not.
12:44 PM, 08 Apr
Sushma Swaraj Highlights Positive Interaction with Islamic Nations
Highlighting the diplomatic overtures, awards for PM Modi and invitation to the OIC to make a point about the BJP government’s “positive interaction” with the Islamic nations.
“In the last five-years PM Narendra Modi has been awarded with five top international awards, including awards from Saudi Arab, UAE, South Korea.”
-Sushma Swaraj, Union Finance Minister
She added that while Narendra Modi recognised the pulse of the nation, Rahul Gandhi does not.
12:39 PM, 08 Apr
Others Released Ghoshna Patra, Ours in Sankalp Patra: Sushma Swaraj
Union Minister for External Affairs Sushma Swaraj said that while others have presented ‘ghoshna patra’, but the BJP has presented a ‘sankalp patra’.
She said that the manifesto is not just a list of announcements but a pledge made by the party to the people.
12:32 PM, 08 Apr
'Previous Govts Gave Only Slogan,' Says Jaitley
Finance Minister Arun Jaitley said that while previous governments gave only slogans, the BJP government has given a “road-map for a continuing government.”
“Our inflation has been the lowest compared to other predecessor governments, consolidating India’s position as a rising economic power. There will be Rs 100 lakh crore investment in infrastructure in the next five years.”
-Arun Jaitley, Union Minister.
“A new security doctrine makes India into one of the most powerful nations in the world where our deterrent is the best defence,” said Jaitley, stressing upon national security.
12:28 PM, 08 Apr
Not Prepared With Tukde Tukde Mindset: Arun jaitley
Union Minister Arun Jaitley, addressing the gathering, called the BJP manifesto a “vision document,” which was formulated on the basis of nationalism.
“This manifesto is not prepared with tukde tukde mindset or an Ivy league mindset. It is rooted to Indian realities. It is done on the basis of nationalism.”
-Arun Jaitley, Union Minister
12:21 PM, 08 Apr
Will Abolish Article 35A: Rajnath Singh
The BJP manifesto also promised the abrogation of Article 370 and removal of the “discriminatory” Article 35A provision in Jammu and Kashmir.
“We are committed to annulling Article 35A of the Constitution of India as the provision is discriminatory against non-permanent residents and women of Jammu and Kashmir,”
-Union Minister Rajnath Singh.
12:18 PM, 08 Apr
BJP Promises Rs 6000 Yearly Income Support to All Farmers
Rajnath Singh said that the BJP will give Rs 6,000 yearly income support to all farmers, under Kisan Samman Nidhi.
“We will also give pension facility to small and marginal farmers after 60 years of age.”
-Rajnath Singh, Union Home Minister
12:11 PM, 08 Apr
Uniform Civil Code, Citizenship Amendment Bill & Ram Mandir in BJP's Manifesto
Union Minister Rajnath Singh, enlisting the highlights of the BJP manifesto said that the Uniform Civil Code and Citizenship Amendment Bill will be passed in the next five years.
He also reiterated that there will be zero-tolerance towards terrorism.
“We had a zero tolerance policy towards terrorism, it will continue till terror is eliminated completely.”
-Rajnath Singh, Union Home Minister
“We will try to make Ram Mandir soon. We are committed towards this. We will find out all possible angles and will try to build it in a time frame.”
-Rajnath Singh, Union Home Minister
12:03 PM, 08 Apr
'Objective of Manifesto to Build New India,' Says Rajnath Singh
Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh said that the last five years were an example of “good governance” and that the vision for the next five years is to build ‘New India.’
He added that the manifesto was built on the basis of ‘mann ki baat’ of the people of India.
“With all our promises, made in this manifesto, we are taking a step towards building a New India.”
-Rajnath Singh, Union Home Minister
11:43 AM, 08 Apr
Last Five Years Will Be Remembered for Development: Amit Shah
Addressing the gathering, during the release of the BJP’s manifesto for the Lok Sabha elections, BJP President Amit Shah added that India reached “greater heights” under the prime minister.
“The BJP manifesto to make 75 promises for 2022 to mark 75 years of India’s independence,” said Amit Shah.
Shah added that the BJP government has set an example of how a government should function.
“In 2014, we got historic support from the people of this country. Under PM Modi’s leadership, the nation witnessed renewed development that benefited the poorest of the poor.”
-Amit Shah, BJP President
“India’s development from 2014 to 2019 will be written in golden words in history,” said Shah.
He listed the achievements of the Modi government – from electricity, LPG connections and toilets to “surgical strikes” and improving the economy and claimed that India’s “glory declined from 2004 to 2014.”
11:38 AM, 08 Apr
BJP Releases Manifesto for 2019 Lok Sabha Elections
The BJP released its manifesto for the Lok Sabha polls on Monday, 8 April, with a focus on issues of development and national security.
11:29 AM, 08 Apr
BJP Must Release 'Maafi Patr' Not 'Sankalp Patr': Congress
Congress leader Jaideep Shergil said that the BJP must release a ‘maafi patr’ and not a ‘sankalp patr.’
“Instead of launching a ‘Sankalp Patr’ (manifesto), BJP should launch a ‘maafi patr’ for injecting a lethal injection of unemployment, farmers suicide, closing of businesses and putting youth towards Pakoda employment.”
-Jaideep Shergil, Congress leader
11:23 AM, 08 Apr
PM Modi Arrives at BJP HQ
PM Narendra Modi arrives at BJP Headquarters, ahead of the party’s manifesto release. He was received by party president Amit Shah.
(Photo: ANI)
11:11 AM, 08 Apr
BJP Manifesto Live: 'Remember Vikas,' Congress Asks BJP Ahead of Manifesto Release
In a series of tweets, Congress party questioned whether the BJP remembered the promises it made ahead of the 2014 Lok Sabha elections.
9:57 AM, 08 Apr
BJP Manifesto Live: Amit Shah to Meet Advani, Joshi Ahead of Manifesto Launch
BJP President Amit Shah to meet upset BJP veterans LK Advani, Murli Manohar Joshi – who were dropped from the list of candidates – ahead of manifesto launch at 11 am, reported NDTV.
7:54 AM, 08 Apr
BJP Manifesto Live: ‘Phir Ek Baar Modi Sarkaar’: BJP Launches Campaign Themes
Senior BJP leader Arun Jaitley on Sunday, 7 April, launched the party's campaign theme for the Lok Sabha polls and asserted that the choice for people in the elections will be between the "cohesive and tested" government of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and "chaos and mahamilawat" offered by the Opposition.
Taking a swipe at the Opposition, he said people have to decide between a government led by one captain or a team of 11 players, and that of 40 captains.
His party’s campaign with the tag line of “Phir ek bar, Modi sarkar” (Modi government, once more) will centre on the Modi’s five-year performance, including national security, “honesty”, and his ability to take big decisions among other issues, Jaitley told reporters.
7:54 AM, 08 Apr
Congress Promises Jobs, Omission of Sedition Law in Manifesto
Congress President Rahul Gandhi released his party’s “crowd-sourced” manifesto in the presence of Sonia Gandhi, former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and other senior Congress leaders on Tuesday, 2 April.
Addressing the party workers and media, Gandhi said that the process of preparing the manifesto began a year ago, and that he did not want a “single lie” in it. He also emphasised on highlighting the “wishes” of the people in the party manifesto.
With the Congress manifesto emphasising on welfare measures, including the promise of a sum of Rs 72,000 to the poorest 20 percent households in India, the ruling party is likely to make a slew of promises to woo different sections of the society, especially farmers, youth and women.