In BJP's 2024 'Sankalp Patra', no mention of NRC

The BJP's election manifesto, which was released on April 14, set some ambitious targets to make Viksit Bharat by 2047.

Notably, the party chose to refer to the country as Bharat in the manifesto.

Titled 'Modi ki Guarantee 2024', the manifesto also talked about implementing the Uniform Civil Code and curbing the reach of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act in northeastern states. But, it has remained silent on the contentious National Registrar of Citizens (NRC), which was the party's poll plank in 2019.

At that time, the BJP had promised to expedite the NRC process in Assam and actively consider its extension to other states. It had said that NRC was necessary to curb illegal migration.

In the 2024 manifesto, while the BJP makes no reference to NRC, it promises to confer citizenship under the CAA to persecuted minorities of neighbouring countries who migrated to India before 2024.

The BJP promised to include all senior citizens above the age of 70 years in the ‘Ayushman Bharat’ scheme, which provides health insurance of up to Rs 5 lakh.

It also spoke of considering bullet trains in north, south and east India and expanding “new age” trains like Vande Bharat, Amrit Bharat and Namo Bharat.

Promising to strengthen the sports ecosystem to make India a world leader in sports, the BJP manifesto - Sankalp Patra - said its government will facilitate the Indian Olympic Association to bid for hosting the Olympic Games in 2036.

In his speech, Modi dwelt largely on his vision for boosting the country’s development, asserting that the manifesto reflects the aspirations of a young India with its focus on quality and dignity of life and creating opportunities, both quantitatively and qualitatively high, for the young population.

He noted that the world is full of uncertainties amid conflicts and the safety of Indians living in such a situation is the government’s priority.

At such a time, there is a need for a strong and stable government having a full majority, he said.

The manifesto, in its outreach to the poor, highlights the government’s decision to continue with the free ration scheme for over 80 crore people for the next five years and vows to protect the “garib ki thali” against any price pressure. It promises to expand the housing scheme for them and provide them with free electricity with its solar rooftop scheme.

For the middle class, it promises several measures to fulfil their dream of owning a house, creating high-value jobs and improved infrastructure for living.

The ruling party highlighted the government’s efforts to empower three crore rural women to become “Lakhpati Didis” and underscored its commitment to their greater participation in sports and building and maintaining public toilets for them.

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