* Vows to Ram temple, UCC, end to policy paralysis & ‘tax terrorism’
Sanjeev Pargal
JAMMU, Apr 7: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) today announced that it would address all issues of Pakistan occupied Kashmir (PoK) and West Pakistan refugees and assured return of migrant Kashmiri Pandits with full dignity apart from extending a promise of good governance in Jammu and Kashmir.
In a special chapter devoted to Jammu and Kashmir in its manifesto release today in New Delhi, the BJP, which has been contesting all six Lok Sabha seats of Jammu and Kashmir, reiterated its commitment to abrogation of Article 370 of the Constitution of India, which grants special status to the State but said it was ready for discussion on the Article with all stakeholders, a stand taken by the party’s Prime Ministerial candidate Narendra Modi in his December 1, 2013 rally at Jammu.
“The BJP is ready to discuss Article 370 with all stakeholders but was committed to its abrogation,” the BJP said in its manifesto, which was released in New Delhi by its top brass including Modi, party veterans LK Advani and Murli Manohar Joshi, party president Rajnath Singh, Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Sushma Swaraj and Ravi Shankar Prasad among others.
Modi’s remarks on Article 370 in his Jammu rally had stoked a debate on Article with Chief Minister Omar Abdullah challenging the BJP Prime Ministerial candidate for debate anytime, anywhere in the country. The debate continued with NC, PDP and Congress declaring that no force on earth can scrap the Article that granted special status to the State while BJP declaring that it stood for its abrogation though it was ready for discussion on the issue with all stakeholders.
In another significant announcement ahead of the elections that could boost the prospectus of the BJP candidates, the party, in its election manifesto, has promised to address the demands of PoK and West Pakistan refugees, which have been hanging fire for decades together. The refugees have merely got assurances and nothing else from the political parties. This, however, is for the first time that a major national political party, which is strong contender for the power this time with all major Surveys predicting the BJP to be single largest party with 200+ seats, has included problems of refugees in its election manifesto.
Apart from Pakistani and PoK refugees, the BJP has also promised return of Kashmiri Pandits migrants to the Kashmir Valley with full dignity.
“The BJP stands for return of KPs to their homes with full dignity, security and assured livelihood,” the party manifesto said.
The BJP, which has frequently been highlighting discrimination with Jammu and Ladakh regions by successive Governments, has promised equal and rapid development of all three regions of Jammu and Kashmir-Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh.
“The BJP stands for equal and rapid development in all three regions of the State-Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh,” the party manifesto said.
The BJP’s Central as well as State leadership had repeatedly been raising the issue of discrimination with Jammu and Ladakh by raising statistics. The BJP has promised to undo the discrimination by assuring equal development of all three regions.
The BJP has not only taken the issues of Jammu and Ladakh but also incorporated the issues of the Kashmir Valley in its election manifesto by promising better quality of life in the Valley.
The BJP manifesto has promised good governance, better infrastructure, education opportunities, healthcare, more job opportunities and better quality of life in Jammu and Kashmir. It has made a special mention of better quality of life in the Kashmir Valley.
The BJP’s election manifesto titled `Sabka Saath Sabka Vikaas’ has also promised one All India Institute of Medical Science (AIIMS) for every State of the country including Jammu and Kashmir and fiscal autonomy to the States with financial discipline.
In a slew of anti-terrorism measures, the BJP declared its commitment to zero tolerance on terrorism, revive anti-terrorism mechanism, swift and fair trial of terror related cases and deal with cross border terrorism with a firm hand.
PTI adds from New Delhi:-
Pledging to end policy paralysis, corruption and “tax terrorism” and bar FDI in multi-brand retail, the BJP today stuck to its core agenda of Ram Temple construction and Uniform Civil Code (UCC).
Unveiling a roadmap for the economic revival through good governance, the party said in its 42-page manifesto that its Government will strategically develop high-impact domains like labour-intensive manufacturing and tourism.
Delayed by a week apparently over differences on inclusion of Hindutva issues, the manifesto was released on the opening day of 9-phased Lok Sabha elections here.
The manifesto said the country has suffered a “decade of maladministration and scams” besides “decision and policy paralysis” under UPA and this situation will be changed and the engine of Government will be ignited again with strong will power and commitment to public interest.
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, rationalisation and simplification of the tax regime and simplification of the process and procedures at all levels,” the manifesto said.
Accusing the UPA Government of unleashing ‘tax terrorism and uncertainty’ and engendering 10 years of jobless growth, it promised to provide a non-adversarial, conducive tax environment, rationalise and simplify the tax regime, overhaul the dispute resolution mechanisms.
There was speculation that with his stress on development in his current campaign, Modi was averse to touching the Hindutva issues. However, as a compromise the pet themes of the ‘sangh parivar’ were included. Significantly, Ram Temple issue figured under the heading ‘Cultural Heritage’.
On the issue, the manifesto says the BJP “reiterates” its stand to “explore all possibilities with the framework of the Constitution to facilitate the construction of the temple in Ayodhya.”
Asked about the reported differences within BJP over inclusion of the 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 Hindutva issues including Ram Temple while projecting governance and development, he said, “this has nothing to do with Hindutva or athva (otherwise). This is only a promise of development programme.”
He said Hindutva has never been an election issue and 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.
The ‘Cultural Heritage’ section also has talks about creation of “necessary legal framework” to protect and promote cow and its progeny.
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 harmonising them with modern times,” said the document prepared by a committee chaired by senior leader Murli Manohar Joshi.
BJP pledged to end policy paralysis, corruption and “tax terrorism” while opposing FDI in multi-brand retail.
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.
“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.
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 blackmoney.”
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, rationalise 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 Stabilisation 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.
“The BJP will work for restoring the trust and credibility of the Government. We will also ensure that the chain of responsibility and accountability is built in the system,” it said.
On price rise, the manifesto said the runaway food inflation has crippled household budgets and contributed to overall inflationary trend.
“However, the Congress-led UPA Government has remained insensitive and indifferent to the plight of the people tying itself into knots with short term misdirected steps,” it said.
On employment, the BJP accused the UPA Government of “dragging” the country through 10 years of jobless growth. The party promised to accord high priority to job creation and opportunities for entrepreneurship.
Dealing with “Decision and Policy Paralysis”, the manifesto said the country has suffered a decade of maladministration and scams in addition to decision and policy paralysis, 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.
Propounding a “Team India” concept, the BJP said the genuine grievances of every State will be addressed in a comprehensive manner and it will place Centre-State relations on an even keel through the process of consultation.
“Team India will not be limited to the Prime Minister-led Team sitting in Delhi but will also include Chief Ministers and other functionaries as equal partners,” it said.
The party pledged to ensure fiscal autonomy of States while urging financial discipline. It will create regional councils of States with common problems and concerns with a view to seeking solutions that are applicable across a group of States.
It promised to encourage cooperation among States on security-related issues, inter-state disputes and removing inter-regional economic disparities and promoting tourism.
“The moribund forums like National Development Council and Inter-State Council will be revived and made into active bodies,” the manifesto said and promised to involve State Governments in the promotion of foreign trade and commerce.
It will also help states mobilise resources through investments in industry, agriculture and infrastructure,” the manifesto said.
Follow our WhatsApp channel