Reactivating its Ram Mandir bandwagon, the BJP on Saturday released its election manifesto promising to waive off loans of small and marginal farmers and distributing laptops to the youth amid assurances of working for the all-round development of Uttar Pradesh, ahead of the state polls
UP has been plundered by SP and BSP for 15 years; We have come with a pledge to transform the state," Shah said.
However, what drew the attention of the most was the return of the Ram Mandir agenda in the BJP manifesto. Saving the announcement for the end, Shah concluded his speech by pledging to work towards the construction of Ram Temple "under the provisions of the Constitution." He, however, declined to elaborate on the steps the BJP government would take in the direction.
"I appeal to the people to give us one opportunity and we promise to turn UP into a developed state," said Shah.
The party promised to create a fund of Rs 150 crore for agricultural development in the next five years.
Shah also sought to repackage some of the schemes existing in the state, introduced by the ruling Samajwadi Party.
Taking a cue from SP, Shah promised to upgrade the Dial 100 of the state police to ensure police help in 15 minutes all over the state. Stressing that if voted to power, his party will take one
step ahead of the Samajwadi Party's laptop distribution scheme by providing 1 GB free data for one year besides free wi-fi in universities.
step ahead of the Samajwadi Party's laptop distribution scheme by providing 1 GB free data for one year besides free wi-fi in universities.
To ensure the safety of college girls, innovative anti- Romeo squads will be set up near colleges to check eve- teasing. Besides, three women battalions will be raised for security of women, the document said.
"Will distribute laptops to youth with 1 GB free internet if voted to power in UP," said Shah.
Seeking to hit out at it's opponents, Shah also invoked the phrase 'Bimaru,' coined in the 1980's to refer to India's least developed states. 'Bimaru' acronym for Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Uttar Pradesh, is phonetically similar to the Hindi word bimar, which means sick.
Shah said that the Bimaru states that elected a BJP governemnt in the past are now rid of the tag, while adding that the BJP will transform UP into a progressive state within just five years.
The BJP president blamed the Akhilesh Yadav-led SP government for impeding development schemes implemented by the Centre, while adding that only a BJP leadership at both helms can change UP.
BJP is going hammer and tongs to return to power in UP after 15 years. In 2012, it had won only 47 of the state's 403 seats, but in the 2014 national election, it swept 71 of the state's 80 Lok Sabha seats and hopes to repeat that performance in this year's assembly election. Elections in Uttar Pradesh will be held in seven phases from 11 February to 8 March.