BJP Launches 25-Point Poll Manifesto for Jammu & Kashmir Assembly Elections
BJP Launches 25-Point Poll Manifesto for Jammu & Kashmir Assembly Elections
Jammu & Kashmir, September 6, 2024 – The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) today launched its 25-point manifesto for the upcoming Jammu & Kashmir assembly elections, outlining a comprehensive plan aimed at economic development, cultural preservation, and security in the region. The event, held in Jammu, saw the presence of prominent BJP leaders, including Jammu & Kashmir BJP Chief Ravinder Raina and Union Home Minister Amit Shah.
Key Highlights of the Manifesto
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Economic Growth and Infrastructure Development: The BJP has committed to establishing a Special Economic Zone (SEZ) for IT in Jammu City, creating an amusement park in Srinagar, and transforming Gulmarg and Pahalgam into modern tourist destinations. The party also plans to develop the Tawi Riverfront in Jammu, inspired by Ahmedabad’s Sabarmati Riverfront, and to promote water sports and tourism around Dal Lake in Srinagar.
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Social Welfare Initiatives:
- Maa Samman Yojana: ₹18,000 per year to the eldest woman in every family.
- Ujjwala Scheme: Two free LPG cylinders per year for every household.
- Pragati Shiksha Yojana: ₹3,000 annual travel allowance for college students and provision of tablets or laptops for students in remote areas.
- Pension Increase: Tripling pensions for the elderly, widows, and the disabled from ₹1,000 to ₹3,000.
- Healthcare: Expansion of the Ayushman Bharat Sehat Scheme, increasing coverage by an additional ₹2 lakhs, and adding 1,000 new medical seats to government colleges.
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Support for Farmers: The BJP has promised to increase the PM Kisan Samman Nidhi payout by ₹4,000, bringing the total annual benefit to ₹10,000. Electricity tariffs for agricultural activities will be reduced by up to 50%. Additionally, the party plans to construct 10,000 kilometers of new rural roads under the ‘Har Tunnel Tez Pahal’ Yojana.
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Cultural and Community Welfare:
- Kashmiri Pandit Rehabilitation: The BJP aims to rehabilitate Kashmiri Pandits under the Tika Lal Taploo Visthapit Samaj Punarvas Yojana.
- Support for POJK Refugees: Expedited support for refugees from Pakistan-occupied Jammu & Kashmir (POJK) and marginalized communities like the Valmiki and Gorkha communities.
- Illegal Settlements: A concerted drive to remove illegal Rohingya and Bangladeshi settlements from Jammu and Kashmir.
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Security and Stability: The BJP promises a zero-tolerance policy towards terrorism, emphasizing the complete eradication of terrorism in the region. Amit Shah announced that the party would bring a white paper to fix the responsibility of those involved in the emergence of terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir.
Amit Shah’s Address
Speaking at the manifesto release, Union Home Minister Amit Shah highlighted the BJP’s long-standing commitment to Jammu & Kashmir. “Since Independence, the issue of Jammu and Kashmir has remained important for our party, and we’ve always tried to keep this region with India,” Shah said. He referred to the sacrifices of Pandit Prem Nath Dogra and Syama Prasad Mookerjee, noting that their struggle was carried forward by Jana Sangh and later by the BJP.
Shah also addressed the issues of terrorism and separatism, which plagued the region until 2014. He criticized previous governments for their “politics of appeasement” and asserted that the period from 2014 to 2024 would be recorded in “golden words” in the history of India and Jammu & Kashmir. Shah made it clear that Article 370 “is history, it will never return, and we won’t let it happen,” emphasizing that the article previously “gave weapons and stones in the hands of the youth.”
Opposition’s Response
The BJP’s manifesto drew criticism from rival parties, including the National Conference and its ally Congress, with Amit Shah specifically targeting their stance on Article 370. He condemned the National Conference’s manifesto and Congress’s “mute support” for it, contrasting it with the BJP’s firm stance on national integrity.
Conclusion
The BJP’s 25-point manifesto presents a vision for a transformed Jammu & Kashmir, focusing on economic growth, social welfare, cultural preservation, and security. As the assembly elections approach, the party is positioning itself as the force that can bring lasting peace and prosperity to the Union Territory.