TNN, New Delhi :
The BJP on Monday released its manifesto focusing on improving the country’s economy and infrastructure, ending policy paralysis and curbing corruption.
Contentious issues like construction of a Ram Temple in Ayodhya, abrogation of Art 370 giving special status to Jammu & Kashmir and enactment of Uniform Civil Code have been included in the manifesto with the party making promises on them.
“BJP reiterates its stand to explore all possibilities within the framework of the Constitution to facilitate the construction of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya,” the manifesto, delayed by a fortnight, said.
Asked about the reported differences within the party over inclusion of the Ram Temple issue, Murli Manohar Joshi, chairman of the manifesto committee, said “whatever is there is there in the manifesto. If you want to write something on the basis of your own perceptions, you are free to do”.
The 52-page document, released among others by its PM candidate Narendra Modi at the party headquarters here, also pledged to provide good governance and inclusive development.
Releasing the manifesto on the first phase of the Lok Sabha election, party leader Murli Manohar Joshi said, “We have chalked out a plan to improve the economic situation in the country in the manifesto. As far as infrastructure is concerned, improving manufacturing is important and it needs to be export oriented. We need to build a Brand India,” said Joshi.
“The sooner we do it the better it would be to generate more jobs,” he added.
The manifesto gives high priority to revival of growth and job creation, but said no to FDI in multi-brand retail. The party has promised to set up a Price Stabilisation Fund to check inflation, ensure fiscal discipline and pursue banking sector reforms to deal with the problem of rising bad loans.
“The country has been dragged through 10 years of jobless growth by the Congress-led UPA Government. Under the broader economic revival, BJP will accord high priority to job creation and opportunities for entrepreneurship,” it said while unveiling the road map for the future.
With regard to the agriculture sector, the manifesto promises to create a single ‘National Agriculture Market’ and increase public investment in the farm sector.
Referring to taxation, it said, “the UPA government has unleashed ‘tax terrorism’ and ‘uncertainty’, which not only creates anxiety amongst the business class and negatively impacts the investment climate, but also dents the image of the country.”
Promising tax reforms, BJP said its tax policy roadmap include focus on a non-adversarial and conducive tax environment, overhaul of the dispute resolution mechanisms, bringing on board all state governments in adopting GST (Goods and Services Tax) and provision for tax incentives to promote investment.
Speaking on the occasion, BJP chief Rajnath Singh said, “The UPA government failed to implement manifestos. Had it been even partially implemented, India would be a super power.”
