Union Home Minister Amit Shah unveiled the BJP’s manifesto- Sankalp Patra- ahead of the upcoming elections in Jammu and Kashmir during a press conference in Jammu on Friday.
Shah arrived in Jammu on a two-day visit to the Union Territory (UT) and will meet BJP workers, leaders, and the RSS to oversee the preparations for the elections.
The Sankalp Patra outlines 25 promises, focusing on agriculture, employment, social welfare, and infrastructure. Key pledges include ₹10,000 financial assistance for farmers under PM Kisan Samman Nidhi and a 50 per cent cut in electricity rates for agricultural activities.
जब तक भाजपा है, तब तक जम्मू-कश्मीर के गुर्जर, बकरवाल और पहाड़ियों के आरक्षण को कोई हाथ भी नहीं लगा सकता।#BJPJnKSankalpPatra pic.twitter.com/0TxfGf97cb
— Amit Shah (@AmitShah) September 6, 2024
The manifesto also aims to generate 5 lakh jobs for the youth, ensure fair recruitment, and support college students with a ₹3,000 annual travel allowance under the Pragati Shiksha Yojana. It plans to add 1,000 seats to medical colleges as well.
#WATCH | Jammu, J&K | Union Home Minster Amit Shah says, "I have seen the NC's (National Conference) agenda. I have also seen Congress silently supporting NC's agenda. But, I want to say to the country that Article 370 is history, it will never return, and we won't let it happen.… pic.twitter.com/nXJhBNYClS
— ANI (@ANI) September 6, 2024
Social welfare features include the Maa Samman Yojana, offering ₹18,000 annually to the senior-most woman in each household, two free LPG cylinders yearly for Ujjwala beneficiaries, and free land for the landless under the Atal Housing Scheme. Pensions for old age, widows, and the disabled will be tripled too.
The BJP promises to complete crucial tunnel projects, build 10,000 km of rural roads, and introduce metro services in Jammu and Srinagar. Healthcare will improve through the Ayushman Bharat Sehat Yojana, raising coverage by ₹2 lakh to a total of ₹7 lakh.
The manifesto also includes plans to restore and renovate Hindu temples and promises to transform J&K from a "terrorist hotspot" into a top tourist destination. Rehabilitation efforts for displaced people will be accelerated.
Shah strongly criticised the National Conference (NC) for promising to restore Article 370. “Article 370 has been buried forever and will not be revived,” he said. He also announced plans to release a White Paper on the 40,000 killings that occurred in J&K over the last three decades, promising to hold people accountable after the elections.
Shah also highlighted the BJP’s role in integrating J&K with India, saying, “Before 2014, J&K was plagued by separatism and terrorism.” He said that since 2014, under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, a new era of peace and prosperity has started.
Taking a jab at Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, he said, “I want to ask Rahul whether he supports the revival of terrorism and separatism in J&K. Does he support the return of two flags and Article 370.”
On statehood, he reiterated his commitment, saying, “Statehood will be restored at an appropriate time after the Assembly elections.”
He also ruled out political alliances with the NC, PDP, or Congress, stressing, “One thing is certain: there won’t be a government in J&K led by the NC, PDP, or Congress.”
The Home Minister's visit to Jammu assumes significance given the growing resentment over the distribution of tickets. The BJP has faced a backlash from several senior leaders and their supporters for not giving them the mandate. The BJP has deputed senior leaders from Delhi to pacify the disgruntled leaders. Some of them have decided to contest as independents which the observers believe will hurt the BJP’s prospects.
