BJP Manifesto dedicates the commitment to Hindutva issues with an agglomerations to others.

BJP manifesto may stick to Hindutva issues but leave room for negotiations.

TNN | New Delhi | Apr 7, 2014::  BJP’s manifesto for the 2014 Lok Sabha elections is expected to reiterate its commitment to Hindutva issues relating to the demand for a Ram temple at Ayodhya, uniform civil code and Article 370 as articulated in its 2009 manifesto.

The manifesto will not make any-time bound commitment on Hindutva or other issues like inflation. On economic policy, it may spell out a stand against retrospective taxation in the context of the Vodafone controversy. The document is expected to have a section on women’s empowerment.

BJP is expected to underline its commitment to Hindutva issues but will leave enough room to accommodate current and potential partners by leaving the window open to negotiation and court rulings on demands like the construction of a Ram temple at Ayodhya.

On Article 370, the 2009 manifesto had said the provision was a psychological barrier to the full integration of Jammu and Kashmir with the national mainstream and BJP remains committed to its abrogation.

On the demand for a uniform civil code, the 2009 manifesto said there cannot be genuine gender equality unless India adopts a UCC. The manifesto said the BJP would set up a commission to draft a UCC in keeping with modern laws and society.

BJP sources said on all the three issues, the party would not make its position so rigid as to preclude negotiation or create hurdles in the way of alliances. In 2004, the NDA manifesto had included a reference to the Ram temple, stating that all avenues should be explored including negotiation or a court verdict.

While the BJP manifesto maintains status quo outlining its distinct stand on Hindutva issues, even with relation to some of its current partners, the party is expected to spell out its opposition to permitting FDI in multi-brand retail.

In keeping with its cautious approach, BJP is not likely to be specific on other matters related to economy and will steer clear of making commitments. So, it will not set out deadlines for commitments like controlling inflation and bringing prices under control.

The idea here is to dodge the trap that Congress fell into when it set a 100-day time frame for controlling prices, something BJP’s prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi keeps reminding the ruling party at rally after rally.

Similarly, on taxation, the manifesto will not venture as far as to commit a reduction in tax rates, choosing to stop at a promise to simplify and rationalise taxation structure and procedures. However, there may be a clear cut commitment against retrospective taxation of the kind that UPA resorted to in the case of Vodafone and which has been identified as among the factors which worsened the investment climate.

The document, which will bear the stamp of Modi’s development model, will commit the party to the goal of cheap and affordable housing, but again without commitments. Emphasis on reducing current account and fiscal deficits will also avoid setting targets.

There may be a separate section on women’s issues such as empowerment and safety.

Highlights of BJP manifesto 2014.

PTI | New Delhi | Apr 7, 2014::  The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) released its manifesto for the 2014 Lok Sabha elections. Here are the highlights:

# The party reiterates its stand to explore all possibilities within framework of Constitution to facilitate construction of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya.

# Reiterating its stand on Article 370 and discussing with all stakeholders for abrogation of the Article.

# Ensuring minimisation of black money and setting up of a task force for this purpose.

# Putting in place strict measures and special courts to stop hoarding and black marketing.

# Setting up a Price Stabilisation Fund.

# Unbundling FCI operations into procurement, storage and distribution for greater efficiency.

# Evolving a single National Agriculture Market.

# Promoting and support area specific crops and vegetables linked to food habits of the people.

# Developing high impact domains like labour intensive manufacturing, tourism, and strengthening traditional employment bases of agriculture and allied industry.

# Harnessing opportunities provided by the upgradation of infrastructure and housing.

# Encouraging and empowering youth for self employment and transforming employment exchanges into career centres.

# Eliminating corruption through public awareness,  e-governance, rationalisation and simplification of tax regime.

# Harmonising Centre-state relations by evolving model of national development driven by the states.

# Setting up a Team India initiative which will include the PM and CMs as equal partners.

# Ensure fiscal autonomy of states and creation of regional councils of states of common problems and concerns.

# National Development Council and Inter-state Council will be revived and made into active body.

# Involving state governments in promotion of foreign trade and commerce.

# Greater decentralisation through smaller states.

# Special emphasis on improving connectivity in Northeast region.

# Massive infrastructure development in NE region.

# Complete all pending fencing work along the India-Bangladesh and India-Myanmar border.

# Dealing with insurgency with a firm hand.

#BJP to draft a Uniform Civil Code drawing upon the best traditions and harmonising them with the modern times.

# Foreign policy will be guided through pragmatism and doctrines of mutually beneficial and interlocking relationships.

# Launching a massive Clean Rivers Programme with people’s participation.

# Pursuing friendly relations with neighbours and at the same time not hesitate from taking strong stand when required.

# Reviving the anti-terror mechanism which has been dismantled by the Congress and putting in place swift and fair trial of terror-related cases.

# Insulate intelligence agencies from political intervention and interference.

# Strengthening DRDO and encourage private sector  participation including FDI in selected defence industries.

# Strengthening physical infrastructure with expediting work on freight and industrial corridors.

# Setting up of gas grids and national optical fibre network upto the village level.

# Launching of diamond quadrilateral project of high-speed rail network (Bullet trains).

# Setting up of agri rail network catering to needs of perishable farm products.

# Launching of 50 new tourist circuits for the development of tourism.

# Universalisation of secondary school education and skill development and establishment of national e-library.

# Implementation of national education policy.UGC to be restructured and transformed into higher education commission.

# Ensuring urgent steps for safety of migrant workers and communities from Northeast and other states.

# Pursuing an agenda of equal and rapid development of all three regions of Jammu and Kashmir – Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh.

# Return of Kashmiri Pandits to the land of their ancestors with full dignity and security.

# Evolving further the PPP model into a People-Public-Private Partnership (PPPP).

# Strengthening self-governance and empowering Panchayati Raj institutions with a devolution of functionaries and funds.

Courtesy: TOI | Indian Express.