The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has released its manifesto for the upcoming Jharkhand assembly elections, promising significant initiatives aimed at transforming the state. Union Home Minister Amit Shah presented the manifesto, titled “Sankalp Patra,” alongside notable party leaders, including Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, Union ministers, and Jharkhand BJP chief Babulal Marandi. Shah emphasized the importance of this election, urging Jharkhand’s citizens to choose a government committed to development and security under Prime Minister Modi’s leadership, contrasting this vision with the alleged shortcomings of the opposition.
The manifesto outlines key promises:
- Uniform Civil Code (UCC): BJP has pledged to implement the UCC in Jharkhand, with an exemption for tribal communities, addressing cultural sensitivities.
- Sarna Religious Code: Responding to demands from tribal communities, the party committed to examining the Sarna religious code issue and taking necessary steps.
- Employment: To combat unemployment, BJP plans to create 500,000 jobs, including 287,000 government positions.
- Investigation into Paper Leaks: The party proposed CBI and SIT probes to address alleged paper leak scandals, holding accountable those involved.
- Land Reclamation from Infiltrators: BJP intends to introduce legislation aimed at reclaiming lands from infiltrators and identifying illegal immigrants.
- Welfare Schemes for Women and Families: The “Gogo Didi Scheme” promises Rs 2,100 per month to women. Additionally, the manifesto includes free LPG cylinders for Diwali and Rakshabandhan and Rs 500 subsidies on additional cylinders.
- Housing and Water: The manifesto targets providing permanent housing to 2.1 million families and ensuring tap water access across Jharkhand.
- Laxmi Johar Yojana: Expanding this program, BJP plans to offer two free gas cylinders annually, with a Rs 500 price cap on further refills.
Jharkhand will go to the polls in two phases on November 13 and 20, with vote counting set for November 23. In the previous election, Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) emerged as the largest party with 30 seats, followed by BJP’s 25 seats and Congress’s 16 seats.