BJP Releases Manifesto ‘Sankalp Patra’; Promises Pension for Small Farmers, Shopkeepers

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Party Chief, Amit Shah released the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party’s election manifesto for the general polls starting on 11^th April. The manifesto titled "Sankalp Patra" has been crafted on the theme of - "Sankalpit Bharat - Shashakt Bharat" i.e. "determined India, empowered India".

Amit Shah during the launch said that "In five years, the government led by PM Shri Narendra Modi has taken fifty major decisions for the betterment of the nation. From 2014 to 2019, our government has transformed the entire country".

Home Minister Rajnath Singh said that our government will provide Rs. 6,000 yearly income support to all the farmers, under PM-Kisan scheme and promised to give pension to small farmers as well as shopkeepers in its manifesto.

The ruling party is expected to announce a jobs guarantee scheme on the lines of MNREGA launched by the previous Congress-led government. It also promised accommodation for all by 2020 and doubling of farmers' income by next year.

Shah said, "We took suggestions from 6 crore people while drafting the sankalp patra. When we came to power in the year 2014, India was ranked as 11th major economy but today it stands at 5th position”.

In 2014, the party had released its manifesto on the 1st day of the 9-phase polls but this time the EC or Election Commission has put a 48-hour gag order as part of model code which applies to each of the 7 phases over the next 6 weeks.

On 7^th April 2019, the BJP showcased its campaign slogan – ‘Phir Ek Baar Modi Sarkar’ at the party headquarters in Delhi.

Union Minister Arun Jaitley after launching the campaign slogan said, "The 1st theme of the campaign will be 'Kaam Karne Wali Sarkar'. We also formed a government in 2014 and ran an honest government. That’s why the 2nd theme is Imaandar Sarkaar. The 3rd theme of the campaign is Bade Faisle Lene Waali Sarkaar, as the present government has taken tough decisions including development and national security".

As the Congress manifesto stresses upon welfare measures like the NYAY plan that promises Rs. 72,000 to the poorest in the country, the BJP is expected to announce plans for the farmers, women and youth.  

Terrorism & security-related issues have also been the focus of BJP’s poll campaign since Pulwama attack and retaliatory Balakot strike across the LoC.

PM Modi last week said that he needs another term to fulfill the promises made. He said, "I don't claim to have completed all the work. When Congress cannot say so in 70 years, how can I make that claim in just 5 years"?  

Other promises made by BJP include – annulling Article 35A, abrogation of Article 370, passing of Citizenship Amendment Bill, forming Triple Talaq law, increase the doctor-population ratio to one per 1,400 by 2022 and doubling the length of National Highways by 2022. The party has also promised to facilitate the speedy construction of Ram Temple in Ayodhya.