BJP has released a pro-Hindu manifesto for the Himachal Pradesh election, which is also high on socialism and freebies. Named Sankalp Patra — 2022, a change from the Swarnim Drishtipatra of 2017, the manifesto that promised a uniform civil code was described by Rajya Sabha MP Sikander Kumar otherwise as an aggregation of suggestions from ordinary citizens. He said the intelligentsia gave their inputs too. The suggestions came via online and offline mediums.

Every section, whether it was farmers, women, traders, soldiers, intellectuals, sent their suggestions online, Kumar said about the BJP manifesto. With the process appearing inspired by the AAP’s style of politics, more than 25,000 suggestions were received.

Hindutva is back

Seizing the opportunity for a big byte, the BJP also promised in the manifesto implementation of a uniform civil code. A committee will be constituted to draft the policy, the party said.

The BJP promised also to stop unethical use of waqf property law.

Manifesto recalls BJP government’s resolve for infrastructure

On the occasion of release of the party’s Himachal Pradesh manifesto, BJP president Jagat Prakash Nadda said that during the tenure of Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur, 6,000 km of roads were built, houses were built, ration was given to the poor and a branch of AIIMS was built in a period of five years. He counted a Bulk Drug Pharma Park, still under construction, among the BJP government’s achievements.

All villages will be connected with pucca roads, it said.

The BJP’s list of promises in the manifesto included five new medical colleges and a mobile clinic van that will visit every assembly constituency. The party promised to increase the ex-gratia amount for the families of soldiers who died in action.

BJP goes populist

Among its populist announcements, the BJP promised Rs 3,000 worth of annual grant along with the Mukhyamantri Samman Nidhi.

• The amount for CM Shagun will be increased from Rs 31,000 to Rs 51,000
• Girl students have been promised cycles and scooties
• Three free LPG cylinders will be given to the people if BJP government is formed yet again
• Cattle feed will be provided from fair price shops
• Stree Shakti cards will be distributed to all women
• Two girls hostels will be built in every district
• 33% reservation to women in government jobs

The party promised more than 8 lakh jobs. This promise of employment does not have a roadmap as of now except for the motivation for start-ups.

There is no mention in the manifesto of restoration of older pension scheme, though. The BJP has promised no more than removing whatever irregularities are found in employees’ accounts.

The leader in charge of the BJP in Himachal Pradesh, Mangal Pandey said that a committee has been formed regarding the restoration of the old pension scheme, which will decide the steps ahead.

Sankalp Patra - During the launch of 2022, BJP National President Jagat Prakash Nadda, Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur, President of BJP Sankalp Patra Committee Prof. Sikander Kumar, Union Minister Anurag Thakur, former Minister Harsh Mahajan, MP Indu Goswami, BJP National Vice President Saudan Singh, former BJP in-charge Mangal Pandey and many other dignitaries were present.