Narendra Modi unveils BJP manifesto for Lok Sabha polls

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday, released the BJP's Lok Sabha election manifesto with special focus on the poor, youth, farmers and women, and asserted that the need for a stable government with full majority was necessary when the world was passing through uncertain times.

The prime minister handed over copies of the manifesto to representatives of the four broad groups — gareeb, yuva, annadata and nari shakti (GYAN) — who are beneficiaries of government schemes.

"In the last 10 years, the BJP has implemented every aspect of its manifesto as a guarantee. BJP has restored the sanctity of the manifesto," Modi said at the release event.

"The need for a stable majority government increases at a time when the world is passing through uncertain times," the prime minister said, referring to the several conflicts the world was grappling with.

Modi asserted that the BJP will work towards implementing the one nation, one election initiative, and stressed that the Uniform Civil Code was in the national interest. "BJP will start working on the promises made in the manifesto immediately after the results are declared on 4 June," Modi said.

"I present this Sankalp Patra of the BJP as a document of 'Modi ki Guarantee' to the people of the nation for their blessings," he said.

Reaching out to Tamil Nadu, where the BJP is seeking to gain a foothold, Modi announced that the BJP would work towards building Thiruvalluvar cultural centres all over the world. "We will build Thiruvalluvar cultural centres all over the world. The world's oldest language (Tamil) is our pride. BJP will undertake every effort to enhance the global reputation of the Tamil language," Modi said. Thiruvalluvar was a noted Tamil poet and philosopher.

"Our Sankalp Patra empowers the four strong pillars of Viksit Bharat — youth power, women power, poor and farmers. Our focus is on dignity of life, quality of life and employment through investments," Modi said

Addressing the gathering earlier, defence minister Rajnath Singh said the manifesto embodies the guarantees the prime minister had given to the people of the country. "Modi ki guarantee is equivalent to 24 carat gold and has emerged as the gold standard of governance," Singh said.

Singh, who helmed the manifesto committee, said more than 15 lakh suggestions were received from across the country, which have been incorporated into the manifesto.

The manifesto talks about implementing the one nation, one election initiatives, preparing common electoral rolls, abolishing waiting lists for train travel, expansion of 5G networks, and organising Ramayana festivals the world over.

Lok Sabha polls will be held in seven phases beginning 19 April.