Ram Mandir, farmers, terror, rural development focus of BJP's manifesto

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP president Amit Shah on Monday released party manifesto for the Lok Sabha elections.

Manifesto described as "sankalp patra" or document of promises has been weaved on the theme of a "Sankalpit Bharat - Shashakt Bharat" or "determined India, empowered India".

Key highlights of the manifesto

- The party is fully committed on nationalism and zero tolerance towards terrorism.

- Strengthen the strike capability of the armed forces by equipping them with modern equipment.

- Effective steps to prevent illegal immigration in North-eastern states.

Doubling farmers’ income

• PM Kisan Samaan Nidhi Yojana for all the farmers in the country.
• Pension for small and marginal farmers after 60 years of age to ensure social security.
• Rs 25 lakh crore investment to improve the productivity of the farm sector.

Foundation for New India

• All habitations to attain open defecation free status.
• Bharatmala 2.0 to support the states to develop road networks.
• 50 cities to be covered with a strong metro network.

Foreign Policy

• ‘Bharat Gaurav’ to increase interaction among the Indian diaspora.
• Increase the strength of the diplomatic and allied cadres.
• Pursue multilateral cooperation against global evils such as terrorism and corruption.

Culture and Heritage

• Explore all possibilities with the framework of the Constitutions to facilitate the expeditious constructions of the Ram Temple.
• Ensure clean and uninterrupted flow of river Ganga from Gangotri to Ganga Sagar.
• Stands firmly on the commitment to bring a Uniform Civil Code.

Inclusive Development

• Ensure access to banking facilities within a radius of 5 km.
• Pension for small shop-keepers.
• Bring down percentage of families living below the poverty line to a single digit.

Women Empowerment

• Legislate a bill to prohibit and eliminate practices like Triple Talaq and Nikah Halala.
• Expand Ayushman Bharat to include all Anganwadi workers and ASHA workers.

Education for all

• 200 new Kendriya Vidyalaya and Navodaya Vidyalaya.
• Double the number of MBBS and specialist doctors in India by 2024.

Jammu and Kashmir, North East

• The party would ensure the passage of the Citizenship Amendment Bill in Parliament with utmost respect to every state's cultural values.
• BJP released its manifesto, reiterating its demand for abrogation of Article 370 and Article 35A of the Constitution which are provisions specific to Jammu and Kashmir.