India election: Narendra Modi’s BJP promises to reserve one-third of seats for women in parliament
- ‘The BJP is committed to 33 per cent reservation in parliament and state assemblies through a constitutional amendment,’ the party said in its election manifesto
- The party also promised to inject over US$300 billion for rural development, introduce a pension scheme for small and marginal farmers, and simplify the GST
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“Women’s welfare and development will be accorded a high priority at all levels within the government, and the BJP is committed to 33 per cent reservation in parliament and state assemblies through a constitutional amendment,” the party said in its manifesto.
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The party said it was committed to building a grand temple for Hindu god Rama “as soon as possible in a harmonious way” and pass a citizenship bill that would grant Indian nationality to Hindus from neighbouring countries.
Under fire from the opposition Congress party for not doing enough for India’s struggling farmers, the party said it would infuse more than US$300 billion for rural development.
It would also extend an annual handout of 6,000 rupees (US$86) and introduced a pension scheme for small and marginal farmers.
“Nationalism is our inspiration ... good governance is our mantra,” Modi, 68, said at the launch. “It (the manifesto) is multi-layered and multi-dimensional because our society is very diverse. We can’t have a one-size-fits-all kind of policy. It addresses the needs of all sections of society.”
The party also pledged to simplify the goods and services tax (GST) – which disrupted businesses and hurt economic growth when it was introduced by Modi’s government in 2017 – and to revise income tax brackets to help the middle-class if the party retained power.
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“We are committed to further revise the tax slabs and the tax benefits to ensure more cash and greater purchasing power in the hands of our middle income families,” the BJP said.
The party’s manifesto comes on the heels of a similar document released by Congress last week, which promised to “create wealth and guarantee welfare” to India’s 1.3 billion people.
Congress had announced 72,000 rupees (US$1,045) each to India’s poorest 250 million families.
The BJP, which decimated Congress as it swept to power in 2014, has been riding a nationalistic wave, vowing to protect the country against Pakistan-backed “terrorism”.
In February, India and Pakistan faced off in their worst confrontation in years over Kashmir, conducting tit-for-tat air strikes.
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“This manifesto has been prepared with strong nationalist vision ... it is rooted in India’s realities,” said Finance Minister Arun Jaitley.
Critics say Modi has failed to create jobs and revive the rural economy. He is also accused of tarnishing India’s credentials as a tolerant, secular country and imposing “Hindutva” or the hegemony of Hindus on its teeming millions.
India’s seven-phase general election starts on April 11. Votes will be counted on May 23.
