Introduction
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has been at the forefront of India's political landscape for the past decade, shaping the nation's trajectory with its visionary manifesto promises. As the party unveils its 'Sankalp Patra' for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, it is imperative to reflect on the remarkable strides made in fulfilling the pledges outlined in its previous manifestos of 2014 and 2019. This article delves into the BJP's key promises and their implementation, unveiling a decade of transformative governance.
Key BJPs Promises fulfilled from the 2014 & 2019 Manifestos
Ram Mandir Construction and Abrogation of Articles 370: The construction of the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya and the abrogation of Articles 370 and 35A were long-standing promises that the BJP delivered upon. After a protracted legal battle, the Supreme Court's landmark verdict in November 2019 paved the way for the construction of the Ram Mandir. The party swiftly established a trust to oversee the project, culminating in the highly anticipated 'Pran Pratishtha' ceremony on January 22, 2024, attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath. Furthermore, on August 5, 2019, the Modi government fulfilled another pivotal promise by abrogating Article 370, which had granted special status to Jammu and Kashmir, and annulling Article 35A, which discriminated against non-permanent residents and women in the region. This bold move was upheld by the Supreme Court in December 2023, paving the way for the implementation of central schemes and infrastructure development in the region.
'Make in India in Defence' and Defence Infrastructure: The BJP's commitment to boosting India's defence capabilities through the 'Make in India in Defence' initiative has yielded remarkable results. During the Modi government's tenure, India's defence exports soared to Rs. 88,319 crores, marking a staggering growth of over 1900% compared to the UPA regime. Significant deals were secured with nations like Armenia, Bangladesh, and the Philippines, including the export of BrahMos missiles. Additionally, the government has actively fostered self-reliance by introducing 'import embargo' lists, comprising 928 military items that will be phased out between December 2023 and 2029, necessitating procurement solely from Indian manufacturers. This initiative has provided opportunities for startups to contribute modern weaponry to India's defence arsenal.
Road and Highways Infrastructure: The BJP's vision for world-class road infrastructure has materialized through an unprecedented pace of highway construction. Under the Modi government, road construction reached an average of 28.3 KM/day by 2022-23, a remarkable 143% increase compared to 2014 figures. In total, 95,000 KM of National Highways have been constructed across the nation, connecting 99% of villages through a robust road network.
Railways Modernization: The Indian railway network has undergone a significant transformation, with the introduction of modern trains like Tejas, Vande Bharat, and Gatimaan Express. Electrification efforts have also accelerated, with 94% of the network now electrified, compared to only 21,801 km in 2014. The Railways have received substantial funding, with the budget increasing from approximately Rs. 29,000 crore in 2014 to Rs. 2.90 lakh crore by 2024-25.
Renewable Energy and Climate Change Initiatives: India has emerged as a global leader in combating climate change, thanks to the BJP's dedication to renewable energy. By October 31, 2023, the nation had installed a total capacity of 186.46 GW from non-fossil fuel sources, comprising 178.98 GW of renewable energy and 7.48 GW of nuclear power. Additionally, projects totaling 114.08 GW are currently in progress, with another 55.13 GW in the tendering phase.
Healthcare Reforms: The BJP's commitment to healthcare has been evident through initiatives like the Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana, which extended health coverage to 10.74 crore impoverished families. The government also increased MBBS seats by 18,000 and PG Medical seats by 12,000, alongside establishing new AIIMS facilities. Telemedicine emerged as a vital service during the COVID-19 pandemic, with the eSanjeevani app facilitating 10 crore tele-consultations by February 2023.
Judicial Reforms: Recognizing the need for a modern and efficient legal system, the Government of India has introduced new criminal legislation to replace the antiquated British-era Indian Penal Code (IPC), Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC), and Indian Evidence Act. These new laws, collectively known as the Bharatiya Nyaya (Second) Sanhita, Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha (Second) Sanhita, and Bharatiya Sakshya (Second), are set to come into effect on July 1, 2024, marking a significant departure from the existing legal framework.
Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA): The BJP's pledge to introduce the Citizenship Amendment Bill, aimed at safeguarding individuals belonging to religious minority communities fleeing persecution in neighboring countries, was fulfilled with the enactment of the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) in December 2019. After overcoming delays due to protests and the COVID-19 pandemic, the CAA Rules were notified on March 11, 2024, allowing persecuted minorities from Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Bangladesh to seek refuge in India and apply for citizenship.
Women's Reservation: True to its manifesto promises, the BJP has taken a significant step towards ensuring gender equality by enacting a constitutional amendment to provide 33% reservation for women in parliamentary and state assemblies. The Women Reservation Bill, passed in September 2024, will come into effect for the 2029 elections, ensuring increased representation and empowerment of women in the political sphere.
Other Initiatives: In addition to the aforementioned promises, the BJP has delivered on various other fronts, including launching the Beti Bachao Beti Padhao scheme for the girl child, introducing financial schemes like StartUp India and Skill India for youth empowerment, and implementing the Ujjwala scheme to provide free LPG connections to 7 crore households, improving rural life.
A look at the 2024 Manifesto
In its manifesto,"Sankalp Patra” released in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) outlined the following key promises and commitments:
Uniform Civil Code and "One Nation, One Election"
- Reiterated commitment towards implementing the Uniform Civil Code (UCC)
- Introduced the concept of "one nation, one election"
Schemes for the Poor, Farmers, and Women
- Extended various schemes for the poor, farmers, and women
- Elderly above the age of 70 to be covered under the Ayushman Bharat healthcare insurance scheme
Ramayan Utsav and Development in Ayodhya
- Promised to celebrate the Ramayan Utsav across the world
- Committed to further development in Ayodhya
Nyaya Sanhita and Railway Improvements
- Upon return to power, the BJP pledges to enact the Nyaya Sanhita nationwide
- Railway improvements highlighted include tackling waiting lists and advancing bullet train projects in the Northeast
Technology and Energy Self-Sufficiency
- Committed to the development of 5G and 6G technologies
- Aimed to achieve energy self-sufficiency
Transgender Inclusion and Identity
- Transgender individuals to be integrated into the Ayushman Bharat Yojana
- Expansion of the network of Garima Grahas to uplift the transgender community
- Issuance of identity cards for the recognition of transgender individuals nationwide
Women's Empowerment and Training
- Prioritized and honored women's participation and contributions in the forthcoming five years
- Introduced the NaMo Drone Didi Yojana to train rural women as drone pilots
Disaster Management and Resilience in Himalayan States
- Comprehensive strategy for disaster management and resilience in the Himalayan states due to the fragile ecosystem and increased natural disasters
Scientific Research and Ease of Business
- Establishment of an Anusandhan Fund with a 1 lakh crore rupee investment to promote scientific research
- Simplification of state-level regulations and collaboration with state governments to reduce compliance burdens for small traders and MSMEs
Tribal Community Empowerment
- Observation of Janjatiya Gaurav Diwas to celebrate the significant contributions of tribal communities
- Declaration of 2025 as Janjatiya Gaurav Varsh
- Establishment of 740 Eklavya Model Residential Schools to prioritize the education of tribal children
- Expedited construction and operation of the remaining Eklavya Model residential schools.
- Introduced the PM Suraj Portal to offer accessible credit facilities to eligible individuals to support their livelihood
Electricity and Income Opportunities
- Slashed electricity bills for millions of families and provided income opportunities through the PM Surya Ghar Free Electricity Scheme
Farmers' Welfare
- Continued benefits of the PM-Kisan Samman Nidhi for 100 million farmers
- Prioritized 'Shree Anna' to position India as a top global nutrition hub
- Over the next five years, maintained the benefits of the PM Kisan scheme
- Roll-out of the 'Rashtriya Sahkariti Niti' to boost India's global nutrition leadership, focusing on millets
MUDRA Yojana and Housing
- Under the PM Mudra Yojana, the loan limit to be doubled to Rs 20 lakh
- Establishment of 30 million new homes
- Ensuring gas connections for all households nationwide
Healthcare Initiatives
- Treatment of cervical cancer, breast cancer, osteoporosis, and other ailments as a key focus
- Offered official Yoga certification to individuals from other countries
Manifesto Drafting Process
- The manifesto drafting process incorporated inputs from both online contributors and individuals engaged through offline party efforts, as previously announced by PM Modi
- The BJP actively sought suggestions from diverse demographics, with national president JP Nadda launching 'Viksit Bharat Modi ki Guarantee' video vans
- These vans traversed the nation, gathering public feedback to shape the party's manifesto content
Conclusion
The BJP's journey over the past decade has been marked by a steadfast commitment to fulfilling the promises outlined in its manifestos. From the construction of the Ram Mandir and the abrogation of Articles 370 and 35A to the modernization of defence, infrastructure, and healthcare sectors, the party has delivered on its pledges, ushering in a new era of development and progress for India. As the nation gears up for the 2024 elections, the BJP's 'Sankalp Patra' stands as a testament to its unwavering dedication to building a 'Viksit Bharat,' a developed India that is self-reliant, prosperous, and inclusive.
Kommentarer