Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday said the BJP’s manifesto for the Lok Sabha elections reinforces the four pillars of a developed India – youth power, women empowerment, farmers, and the underprivileged.

The prime minister said in times of global unrest, a stable government with an unequivocal focus on the majority becomes all the more pronounced.

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The BJP advocates realisation of the vision of one nation, one election, and views the implementation of a Uniform Civil Code (UCC) as imperative for the nation’s welfare, the prime minister said after the release of the BJP manifesto.

Modi launched the manifesto “BJP’s Sankalp – Modi’s Guarantee 2024” for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections at the BJP’s Central Office Extension. Union Home and Cooperation Minister Amit Shah, Defence Minister and BJP Manifesto Committee Chairman Rajnath Singh, party’s national president JP Nadda, and Union Finance Minister & BJP Manifesto Committee Convenor Nirmala Sitharaman were present on the occasion.

Addressing the gathering, Modi said corruption deprives poor and middle-class families of their rights.

“Over the past decade, the BJP Government has implemented stringent measures to combat corruption. Scams worth thousands of crores at the national level have been effectively curbed. The underprivileged are now receiving their entitlements, while those who exploited them are being held accountable and facing imprisonment. The unwavering commitment to cracking down on corruption is ‘Modi’s Guarantee’,” the prime minister asserted.

The prime minister emphasised the prevailing uncertainty and tension on a global scale, particularly in areas of conflict. “Ensuring the safety of Indians residing in such tense regions stands as a paramount priority for the BJP,” he said.

He further said that the BJP remains dedicated to forming a government that would fortify the nation’s economy and propel it towards progress and development. “This Sankalp Patra from the BJP assures such a government. India, as a global ally, will persistently endeavor for the welfare of humanity. The Bharatiya Janata Party steadfastly takes bold and challenging decisions in the nation’s interest, prioritizing the country over the party itself,” he added.

The prime minister cited the enactment of the Nari Shakti Act, revoked Article 370, and implemented the CAA nationwide as the achievement of his government. “Upholding the principles of Reform, Perform, and Transform, India is poised to advance rapidly. Essential frameworks for effective governance, digital governance, and data governance will be established,” he said.

Modi emphasised that there is great anticipation for the BJP’s Sankalp Patra throughout the country, as over the past two decades, the BJP has delivered on every promise with a solid foundation. “The Sankalp Patra strengthens the pillars of a ‘Viksit Bharat’: youth power, women empowerment, the welfare of the poor and farmers,” he said.

He further said that the BJP’s focus is on the dignity and quality of life, as well as investment and employment. “The Sankalp Patra emphasises both the quantity and quality of opportunities, with a focus on infrastructure development for generating employment on one hand, and promoting startups and global centers for high-value servicing on the other,” he added.

The prime minister highlighted that BJP’s Sankalp Patra reflects the aspirations of the youth of Young India. “Over the past decade, the BJP Government has lifted 250 million people out of poverty, demonstrating its commitment to delivering results. However, the work does not stop there; those who have been lifted out of poverty also need sustained support to ensure that they do not slip back into poverty due to unforeseen circumstances.”

He said, “Narendra Modi just as a person may have received treatment in a hospital but still advised by doctors to take precautions despite being on the road to recovery. Similarly, those who have emerged from poverty also require support to prevent them from slipping back into poverty for any reason.”

“With this vision in mind, the BJP has pledged to expand several poverty alleviation schemes. Modi’s guarantees of a free ration scheme will continue for the next five years. The BJP Government will ensure that the food plate of the poor is nutritious, satisfying, and affordable,” the prime minister said.

He underscored his assurance that Jan Aushadhi Kendras would continue to offer affordable medicines with an 80 per cent discount, and the expansion of these centres will be undertaken.

“Modi’s guarantees that under Ayushman Bharat, free treatment up to Rs 5 lakh will be provided. In line with this, the BJP has made a significant decision. Concerns about healthcare expenses for the elderly are addressed, as BJP has pledged to include every senior citizen above 70 years in the ambit of the Ayushman Yojana, regardless of their economic status, providing free treatment up to 5 lakh rupees. The BJP government has constructed 4 crore pucca houses for the poor, and based on additional information from the states, they have pledged to build 3 crore more pucca houses, considering the expansion of families,” the prime minister said.

The prime minister emphasised that the BJP Government has already ensured the delivery of affordable cylinders to every household, and now they will work on providing cheap kitchen gas through pipelines to every home.

He said that his government has provided free electricity connections, and now they will work on reducing electricity bills to zero for crores of households and creating opportunities for earning from electricity.

“The PM Surya Ghar Scheme for free electricity has been implemented, with 1 crore people already registered. The BJP is committed to accelerating work on this scheme, ensuring not only electricity in homes but also additional income through selling surplus electricity. Furthermore, concerning the expenses for petrol and diesel for scooters and cars, if one opts for electric vehicles, the arrangement for free charging will also be made available,” Modi said.

He highlighted the transformative impact of the Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana, noting that it has empowered crores to become entrepreneurs over the years.

PM Modi underscored that the scheme has not only created crores of jobs but also turned hundreds of thousands into job creators.

He announced that in recognition of the scheme’s success, the BJP has decided to raise the loan limit under the Mudra Scheme from Rs 10 lakh to Rs 20 lakh. “This move aims to cater to the requirements of Industry 4.0 and provide a fresh impetus to the youth. The scheme will offer increased funds and resources to the youth in both urban and rural areas to pursue their chosen endeavors,” Modi said.

“Pradhan Mantri Swanidhi Yojana marks the first instance post-Independence where it safeguards the dignity of street vendors, liberating them from the burden of interest. Today, individuals receive bank loans without providing any collateral. The loan limit for this scheme will be raised from Rs 50 thousand and will also encompass rural areas,” the prime minister said.

“Modi honours those who have been overlooked by others. This embodies the spirit of “Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas” and reflects the essence of the BJP’s Sankalp Patra,” he said.

The prime minister said special priority would be accorded to differently-abled individuals under the ‘Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana’ prioritizing their different needs. The BJP has conferred identity and dignity upon transgender individuals, and they would now be included in the Ayushman Bharat scheme to avail its benefits.

“India is setting an example for the world by prioritising women-centric development. The past decade has been dedicated to upholding women’s dignity and creating new opportunities for them, and the next five years will focus on further empowering women,” Modi said. “In the past decade, 10 crore women have joined self-help groups, and the BJP will now provide training to these groups for various services such as IT, education, health, retail and tourism. Currently, 1 crore women have become ‘Lakhpati Didis,’ and the BJP aims to elevate 3 crore more women to this status, ensuring their financial prosperity. This is Modi’s guarantee,” the prime minister asserted.

He said under the Namo Drone Didi Scheme, women will be trained as drone pilots in every village. “This initiative has not only enhanced the dignity and income of rural women but has also brought about a significant revolution in farming practices. Additionally, special provisions will be made to support women athletes and promote their participation in sports,” Modi said.

Furthermore, in line with its commitment to improving women’s health, the BJP would launch a campaign to eradicate cervical cancer, the prime minister said.

Modi emphasised that the BJP takes a comprehensive approach to the rural economy, empowering people across various sectors including agriculture, animal husbandry and fisheries. As part of this effort, BJP has extended the benefits of the Kisan Credit Card to cattle rearers and fishermen, ensuring their inclusion in the financial support system, he said.

The BJP Government remains committed to supporting 10 crore farmers across the country through the Prime Minister Kisan Samman Nidhi initiative, the prime minister said.

“In line with the vision of fostering prosperity through collaboration, a National Cooperative Policy will be introduced to expand the number of dairy cooperative societies nationwide. Additionally, the recent launch of the world’s largest food storage scheme underscores the government’s dedication to ensuring food security for all,” he said.

The prime minister emphasised the BJP Government’s commitment to positioning India as a global nutrition hub by prioritising superfoods.

“Over two crore farmers engaged in food grain production will receive comprehensive support to enhance self-sufficiency in pulses and oilseeds. Furthermore, the BJP plans to establish new clusters for vegetable cultivation and storage, promote the development of production clusters in the fisheries sector, and incentivize fishermen to engage in seaweed and pearl farming,” he said.

“In addition, the BJP Government will prioritise natural farming methods and promote the widespread adoption of nano urea technology. The party aims to expand the reach of Kisan Samridhi Kendras to provide comprehensive support to farmers. Furthermore, the BJP’s vision includes establishing India as a food processing hub, with food processing plants serving as catalysts for growth in rural areas,” the prime minister said.

Modi emphasised his Government’s commitment to honouring the pride of tribal communities by initiating the celebration of Tribal Pride Day nationwide. He announced plans to commemorate the 150th birth anniversary of Bhagwan Birsa Munda in 2025 on a national scale, further elevating the Tribal Pride Campaign throughout the country.

The prime minister said the BJP would foster research on tribal heritage, establish a Digital Tribal Arts Academy, promote startups and self-help groups based on forest produce, and ensure the construction of over 700 Eklavya schools.

He said the BJP believes in the mantra of “Viksit bhi, Virasat bhi”. “The BJP will establish Thiruvalluvar cultural centres worldwide and initiate various programs to enhance the global prestige of the Tamil language, the world’s oldest language and a source of national pride. The BJP aims to connect tourists globally with the country’s heritage and elevate national sites like Nalanda to World Heritage status. It will prioritise the holistic development of tourist destinations based on tourism destination ranking and establish new ecotourism centres,” the prime minister said.

He further said that the BJP government is committed to establishing new satellite towns across the country, envisioning them as focal points for national development. “Special emphasis is being placed on expanding the aviation sector, exemplified by recent agreements for over 1000 aircraft, which will not only bolster connectivity but also create numerous job opportunities. These sectors are poised to become dream centers for the youth residing in small towns across the nation,” he said.

The prime minister said the BJP aims at extending the Vande Bharat train network to every corner of the nation, introducing three models: Vande Bharat Sleeper, Vande Bharat Chair Car, and Vande Bharat Metro. “The construction of the Ahmedabad-Mumbai Bullet Train is progressing, nearing completion. The party has pledged to operate a bullet train in all four directions of India, marking a significant step towards self-reliance,” he added.

“The BJP is committed to enhancing India’s self-reliance across various sectors, encompassing defence, edible oil and energy imports. These initiatives aim not only to bolster the nation’s self-sufficiency but also to safeguard the environment. Additionally, they are expected to generate a significant number of green jobs throughout the country,” the prime minister said.

He emphasised that the BJP’s commitment to fortifying the bedrock of 21st-century India through three key types of infrastructure: social, digital and physical. This entails establishing new educational institutions and universities for social infrastructure while enhancing facilities near highways to ensure the safety of truck drivers and reduce accidents, he said.

“For physical infrastructure, the BJP is spearheading the modernization of highways, railways, waterways and airways across the nation. Simultaneously, in the realm of digital infrastructure, efforts are underway to expand the reach of 5G technology while also laying the groundwork for advancements like 6G. Policies are being formulated with a focus on Industry 4.0,” Modi said.

He said the BJP is accelerating the digitisation of government services, expanding the reach of Common Service Centers and scaling up initiatives like ONDC and telemedicine. “This concerted effort aims to enhance the speed and scale of social, digital and physical infrastructure, thereby broadening their scope and impact. Unlike previous administrations, which viewed urbanization as a challenge, the BJP perceives it as an opportunity for growth and development,” Modi said.

He said the BJP’s Sankalp Patra would swiftly initiate its course after June 4, with the government already underway on its initial 100-day action plan. “Modi’s mission aligns with the aspirations of the 140 crore citizens of India. The ambition of 140 crore countrymen is Modi’s mission. The nation has witnessed the triumph of Chandrayaan and will soon take pride in Gaganyaan’s achievements. India’s warm reception in the G20 heralds its forthcoming efforts to host the Olympics with full vigor. The momentum of the new India is unstoppable,” the prime minister said.

“I present this Sankalp Patra to the 140 crore citizens as a testament to ‘Modi ki guarantee’. The BJP has formulated this Sankalp Patra to transform the dreams of 140 crore citizens into reality. To ensure the welfare of crores of citizens of Maa Bharati and to realize the vision of ‘Viksit Bharat’, it is imperative that the people of the nation bolster the strength of the BJP and bestow their blessings upon it,” Modi added.