BJP manifesto: Congress complains to EC

In its written complaint to the EC, the Congress said: "The manifesto should have been announced before he date of announcement of polls. The Election Commission should restrain the BJP from publicising the manifesto."

"The manifesto talks about building Ram Mandir which violates the principle of secularism," said the party.

The BJP on Monday released its manifesto for the 2014 Lok Sabha elections after considerable delay, focusing on price rise management, welcoming Foreign Direct Investment except in multi-brand retail, promising a tax reform, urging for a unified India and called for the revival of the anti-terror mechanism that "has been dismantled by the Congress".

It has also mentioned Ram Temple construction as its goal but tempered their Hinduvta agenda saying it will be aiming to do so under the framework of the Constitution.

The manifesto was released on the first day of the nine-phase Lok Sabha polls, in the presence of top BJP leaders like their PM candidate Narendra Modi, L K Advani, party president Rajnath Singh, Sushma Swaraj among others.

Releasing the manifesto, Modi said the aim is good governance and development of the nation. "I will not do anything for myself ever," said Modi, pitched by the party as their future PM.

Economy is one of the focus areas.

"Barring the multi-brand retail sector, FDI will be allowed in sectors wherever needed for job and asset creation, infrastructure and acquisition of niche technology and specialized expertise. BJP is committed to protecting the interest of small and medium retailers, SMEs and those employed by them. The FIPBs (Foreign Investment Promotion Board) functioning shall be made more efficient and investor- friendly," said the manifesto.

The BJP manifesto on price rise said: "Runaway food inflation has crippled household budgets and contributed to the overall inflationary trend under the Congress-led UPA's watch. Even worse, the food and nutritional security of millions is threatened."

It said it will put in place strict measures and special Courts to stop hoarding and black marketing, set up a Price Stabilisation Fund, unbundle FCI operations into procurement, storage and distribution for greater efficiency.

The manifesto says it will  leverage on technology to disseminate Real time data, especially to farmers - on production, prices, imports, stocks and overall availability.

It said it will evolve a single 'National Agriculture Market' and  promote and support area specific crops and vegetables linked to food habits of the people.

The manifesto dwelt on black money too and corruption. "By minimizing the scope for corruption, we will ensure minimization of the generation of black money," it said.

"BJP is committed to initiate the process of tracking down and bringing back 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 money to India what belongs to India, will be put in motion on priority. We will also proactively engage with foreign Governments to facilitate information sharing on black money," it said.

It said Corruption is a manifestation of poor Governance. "Moreover, it reflects the bad intentions of those sitting in power. All pervasive corruption under the Congress-led UPA has become a 'National Crisis'. We will establish a system, which eliminates the scope for corruption," said BJP.

BJP said it will fight corruption with public awareness; technology enabled e-Governance - minimizing the discretion in the citizen-government interface; system-based, policy-driven governance - making it transparent.

It focused on  rationalization and simplification of the tax regime - which, it said, is currently repulsive for honest tax payers.

The BJP also spoke of a construction of a Ram Mandir in Ayodhya.

"BJP reiterates its stand to explore all possibilities within the framework of the constitution to facilitate the construction of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya," it said.

The party focused on a Uniform Civil Code.

"Article 44 of the constitution of India lists Uniform Civil Code as one of the Directive Principles of state policy. BJP believes that there cannot be gender equality till such time India adopts a Uniform Civil Code, which protects the rights of all women, and the BJP reiterates its stand to draft a Uniform Civil Code, drawing upon the best traditions and harmonizing them with the modern times," it said.

The party focused on a unified India and fighting terrorism with a strong hand.

The BJP manifesto said it will "revive the anti-terror mechanism that has been dismantled by the Congress, strengthen the role of NIA and put a system in place for swift and fair trial of terror related cases."

It called for reforming "the National Security Council to make it the hub of all sector-related assessments."

"It will be accountable for real-time intelligence dissemination. Digital and Cyber security will be a thrust area."

BJP said it will insulate intelligence agencies from political intervention and interference.

"We aim to build a modern, prosperous and vibrant India - Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat, based on our ethos and values. We have to convert ourselves into a knowledge based society and economy, powered by experience, tools of technology and energy of our people. BJP commits itself to this task and promises to work relentlessly towards this goal, for which we are seeking sixty months," said the manifesto.

Meanwhile, the nine-phase 2014 Lok Sabha elections began on Monday morning.

The parliamentary elections is being held from Apr 7 to May 12 in which the ruling United Progressive Alliance (UPA) led by the Congress is challenged by a determined Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) that has named Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi as its PM candidate.

Voting dates are on Apr 7, Apr 9, Apr 10, Apr 12, Apr 17, Apr 24, Apr 30, May 7 and May 12 across a total of 543 parliamentary constituencies.

Counting will be held on May 16.