The BJP, under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership, is seeking an unprecedented third term from the citizens of India through its election campaign. It has set a target of winning 370 seats for the party and 400 for the NDA alliance. Meanwhile, the Congress is challenging BJP while representing the India faction as part of the opposition.
The Left parties, CPI, CPI (M), and CPI (ML), are also part of the India block. The Lok Sabha elections will be conducted in seven phases across the nation in 2024. The votes will be cast on April 19 for the first phase, April 26 for the second, followed by May 7, 13, 20, and 25 for the third to sixth phases, and June 1 for the seventh phase. The results will be declared on June 4.
On April 14, Prime Minister Narendra Modi released the BJP's manifesto for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. The party refers to its manifesto as the 'Sankalp Patra.' The Congress party issued its manifesto, named 'Nyay Patra,' on April 5, and the Communist Party of India (Marxist) released their manifesto on April 4, which sparked significant debate due to its promises.
Here, we compare the manifestos of these three parties...
Top 10 Guarantees from BJP's Manifesto
1.
Titled 'Modi's Guarantee,' BJP's 'Sankalp Patra' for the 2024 elections focuses on cultural nationalism and is centered on women, youth, the underprivileged, and farmers. BJP promises that 80 crore families will continue to benefit from the free ration scheme over the next five years.
2.
The manifesto includes measures to bring all elders over 70 and transgender individuals under the Ayushman Bharat scheme. It also promises the continuation of providing strong houses for the poor, with the construction of another three crore homes. PM Modi also guarantees access to affordable cooking gas via pipelines to every home.
3.
PM Modi has emphasized the implementation of 'One Nation, One Election' and is exploring the potential to introduce a 'Uniform Civil Code' in the country's best interest within the manifesto. BJP has pledged to move forward with this initiative if granted a third term.
4.
The expansion of Vande Bharat trains across India is promised, with three new models, including sleeper, chair car, and metro variations. In addition to the ongoing Ahmedabad-Mumbai bullet train corridor, it's guaranteed that three more high-speed rail corridors will be constructed.
5.
BJP commits to providing all individuals with health insurance, incorporating fishermen in the plan. It takes pride in empowering one crore rural women entrepreneurs and guarantees to make three crore more women atmanirbhar during the third term.
6.
An expansion of the MUDRA Yojana is on the horizon, with an increase in the credit limit from INR 10 lakh to INR 20 lakh for timely loan repayments. For street vendors paying off loans on time, credit limits will increase from INR 10,000 to INR 50,000.
7.
With aims to enrich the cultural heritage of Tamil Nadu, the BJP has assured the establishment of Thiruvalluvar cultural centers globally to promote yoga, Ayurveda, Indian languages, and classical music. Also, to celebrate the 150th birth anniversary of Bhagwan Birsa Munda, the year 2025 will be declared as the Tribal Pride Year.
8.
BJP outlines the construction and doubling of 31,000 kilometers of railway tracks over the last decade, with a promise to lay down 5,000 kilometers of new tracks each year for the next five years. The party also pledges to connect all gram panchayats with BharatNet broadband in the coming years.
9.
The promise of launching an indigenous 'Bharat Agriculture Satellite' to support farmers with pesticides, irrigation, soil quality, and weather forecasting is made. Modern rest houses for truck drivers along national highways will be built.
10.
A pledge is made to bid for hosting the Olympic Games in 2036. The manifesto also promises the 'PM Surya Ghara Yojana' to reduce electricity bills to zero and talks about India's ambitions to land a person on the moon and establish an Indian space station in the near future.
