BJP manifesto to be released on Monday

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, BJP president Amit Shah and other senior party leaders and members of the Parliamentary Board, highest policy making body of the saffron party, are expected to be present on the occasion.

The manifesto will focus on the welfare and empowerment of farmers, women and the weaker sections of society and likely to make specific mention about job creation and issues like terrorism.

BJP sources said the sub-panel on foreign policy has recommended to the party leadership to make a commitment that if voted to power, the BJP-led NDA dispensation will take a giant step to set the agenda for ‘G-All’ vis-a-vis use of soft power like Yoga, India’s diversity and religious festivals.

The Cultural amalgamation sought to have been achieved during the Kumbh earlier this year when representatives and nationals of as many as 182 countries had visited Prayagraj.

“All these issues would be highlighted in the Manifesto,” a source said adding in foreign policy of course there cannot be anything very drastic.

The saffron party, which will complete 11 years in office – in two installments, six years headed by Atal Bihari Vajpayee and almost five years by incumbent Mr Modi - will also pledge to build new roads, create additional jobs and improve the ease of doing business.

Entrepreneurship at the small and mid-level and setting up of new ports and airports would also get priorities.

The Sankalp Patra will have a special reference to NDA’s flagship programs -- providing toilets, electricity connections, cooking gas, crop insurance, houses and loans for small businesses.

There will be thrust on giving momentum to innovation, ensured improvement in qualitative education and creating more jobs.

The BJP Manifesto may find references to issues like strengthening grip of central government and constitutional bodies in Jammu and Kashmir and also flag off saffron party’s core issues of Ram Temple and Uniform Civil Code.

There will be perhaps a detailed mention of BJP's commitment towards zero tolerance for terrorism.

The Sankalp Patra would come amid intense debate on amending or diluting powers of the security forces under the provisions of the AFSPA as has been promised by Congress in its manifesto.

Emphasis will be given to ensure greater democratisation of the UN with major roles for the developing nations.

Globally, India's pluralism and the inner faith in democratic traditions would also be highlighted, as per the Sankalp Patra (Document of Pledges).

Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh, also a former party president, was named as chairman of the committee to draft the Sankalp Patra and various sub committees were formed to cater to specific segments like agriculture, women related issues, foreign policy and finance.

On February 3, the ruling BJP had kicked off its much ambitious Mission 2019 - a month long 'Bharat Ke Mann Ki Baat - Modi Ke Saath' - to enlist views of at least 10 crore families to prepare the road map for drafting of party's manifesto in order to ensure a progressive and prosperous India.

"Participative democracy is an article of faith for our party. We have always worked to be an effective voice for rights and well-being of each and every Indian and to build a strong and prosperous India," Prime Minister had tweeted.