NEW DELHI: BJP today pledged to end policy paralysis, corruption and “tax terrorism” while opposing FDI in multi-brand retail but stuck to its core agenda of Ram Temple construction, Uniform Civil Code and abrogation of Article 370 that gives special status to Jammu and Kashmir.
Unveiling a roadmap for the economic revival through good governance, the party, in its 42-page manifesto released here before a galaxy of leaders, including Narendra Modi, said its government will strategically develop high-impact domains like labor-intensive manufacturing and tourism.
While talking of good governance, a campaign theme of its Prime Ministerial candidate Modi, the party document significantly brought its contentious issues like construction of a Ram Temple in Ayodhya for which it promises to explore all possibilities within the Constitution.
On Uniform Civil Code, the manifesto said Article 44 of the Constitution lists Uniform Civil Code (UCC) as one of the directive principles of the state policy.
“BJP believes that there cannot be gender equality till such time India adopts a UCC which protects the rights of all women and the BJP reiterates its stand to draft a UCC drawing upon the best traditions and harmonizing them with modern times,” said the document prepared by a committee chaired by senior leader Murli Manohar Joshi.
Dealing with Article 370 in the chapter on Jammu and Kashmir, the manifesto said “the BJP reiterates its stand on the Constitution provision and will discuss this with all stakeholders and remains committed to the abrogation of this article.”
Return of the Kashmiri Pandits to the land of their ancestors with full dignity, security and assured livelihood will figure high on the BJP’s agenda, it said. . Modi did not take any questions at the manifesto release function. He was specifically asked for his comments about his close confidante Amit Shah’s controversial “revenge” remark but he just parried. Joshi intervened to say that this question did not pertain to the manifesto.
Asked about the reported differences within the party over inclusion of the Ram Temple issue, Joshi 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”.
To a query if the party was trying to confuse voters by raking up Hindutiva issues including Ram Temple while projecting governance and development, Joshi said, “this has nothing to do with Hindutva or athva (otherwise). This is only a promise of development program.”
He said Hindutva has never been an election issue and that the manifesto was based on issues of development and governance.
“We have put it in the section on “Cultural Heritage”.
What is culturally important for us we have said,” Joshi said referring to the promise on Ram Temple. He added that the issue had been included in the previous election manifesto too and the party’s stand remained unchanged.
On Uniform Civil Code, the manifesto said Art 44 of the Constitution lists Uniform Civil Code (UCC) as one of the directive principles of the state policy.
“BJP believes that there cannot be gender equality till such time India adopts a UCC which protects the rights of all women and the BJP reiterates its stand to draft a UCC drawing upon the best traditions and harmonizing them with modern times,” said the document. . Terming the period of UPA I and II as “the decade of decay”, the manifesto said India had a “free fall” on all fronts, including governance, economy, diplomacy, foreign policy, border safety, etc.
At the same time, corruption, scams and crime against women have been reached “unacceptable” level. There has been a gross misuse of government and institutions. There has also been erosion of authority of the office of prime minister.
The manifesto said the country has suffered a “decade of maladministration and scams” besides “decision and policy paralysis” under UPA, thus bringing growth and development to a grinding halt leading to a governance deficit.
“This situation will be changed and the engine of government will be ignited again with strong will power and commitment to public interest. We will also encourage the bureaucracy to take right decisions and contribute their might in building a modern India,” it said.
Under the chapter “Reform the System”, it promised Good Governance, which will be transparent, effective, involving and encouraging and include reforms of administration, judiciary, police and election.
“We will establish a system which will eliminate the scope of corruption through public awareness, technology enabled e-governance, system based policy-driven governance, rationalization and simplification of the tax regime and simplification of the process and procedures at all levels,” the manifesto said.
Referring to the black money issue, the BJP document said its government will initiate process of tracking down and bringing back the black money stashed in foreign banks and offshore accounts.
“We will set up a task force for this purpose and to recommend amendments to existing laws or enact new laws. The process of bringing back black money to India will be put in motion on priority. We will also proactively engage with foreign governments to facilitate information sharing on black money.”
The manifesto accused the Congress-led UPA government of unleashing ‘tax terrorism and uncertainty’ and engendering 10 years of jobless growth.
Giving high priority to revival of growth and job creation, the party promised to contain inflation, pursue tax reforms and promote foreign investments but would continue to oppose FDI in multi-brand retail while welcoming foreign investment.
Unveiling a tax reform roadmap, the BJP promised to provide a non-adversarial, conducive tax environment, rationalize and simplify the tax regime, overhaul the dispute resolution mechanisms, bring on board all state governments in adopting Goods and Service Tax (GST) and provide tax incentives for investments in R&D.
On FDI, the party said barring the multi-brand retail sector, foreign investment will be allowed in sectors wherever needed for job and asset creation, infrastructure and acquisition of niche technology.
“BJP is committed to protect the interest of small and medium retailers, small and medium enterprises and those employed by them,” it said.
Under the heading ‘Economic Revival’, the manifesto said the BJP government will bring back credibility and trust in government, re-sow confidence in the India story domestically as well as internationally.
The document pledged to spur the process of economic growth through long-term policies, strict implementation of fiscal discipline, re-visit the policy framework for investments both foreign and domestic to make them more conducive and undertake banking reforms.
It promised to set up a Price Stabilization 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. -PTI
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