Modi has provided India decisive govt, Amit Shah at BJP manifesto launch

New Delhi: The Bharatiya Janata Party on Monday released its poll manifesto for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections beginning on April 11.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, party chief Amit Shah, Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj and Union Finance Minister Rajnath Singh were present at the do.

The manifesto or sankalp patra (document of promises) was based on the theme of a 'Sankalpit Bharat, Shashakt Bharat' (Determined India, Empowered India).

Speaking first, Amit Shah lauded the five-year rule of Narendra Modi, stating that he had provided India a decisive government. "India's development from 2014 to 2019 will be written in golden words in history," Shah said, adding, "He has dared to carry out air and surgical strikes on the very foundation of terror".

He spoke of the development work done in the last five years. He said the party has made 75 pledges in the manifesto, promising "to fulfill all expectations of the people".

Shah harped more on the government's efforts to deal with terrorism, saying, "Prime Minister Narendra Modi has sent out a strong message that India cannot be taken lightly."

After the manifesto release, Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh said the document touched upon every section and region. "It is a visionary and practical document," he said. A 13-member team led 15 sub panels under Singh to prepare the manifesto. Amit Shah also said the document has been prepared after consulting nearly six crore people.

Singh also said people's faith in Narendra Modi has increased. "Development is now fast paced. We made procedural and structural changes. We gave a responsible, sensitive government with firm commitment," Singh said.

Explaining the BJP's manifesto, Singh said, "With promises made in this manifesto, we are taking a step towards building a 'New India.' We had a zero tolerance policy towards terrorism, it will continue till terror is eliminated completely."

"'Sankalp Patra' is a vision document that lists expectations of 130 crore Indians. We launched 300 raths, 4000 'mann ki baat' events and 110 samvad programmes," Rajnath Singh, explaining the work behind the manifesto.

With the Congress manifesto putting major thrust on welfare measures, including a promise of giving Rs 72,000 to the poorest 20 per cent households in India, the ruling party was likely to make a slew of promises too to woo different sections of the society, especially farmers, youth and women, besides the downtrodden.

Senior BJP leader Arun Jaitley had on Sunday unveiled campaign themes and other materials of the party's election campaign, with 'Phir ek baar, Modi sarkar (Modi government, once more)' as the tag line.