New Delhi: Narendra Modi on Monday outlined a three-point pledge under which he will not do anything for himself nor will he do anything with “bad intent” if he becomes Prime Minister.
“The party has bestowed me with certain responsibility. I want to make three promises personally — I will never be found wanting on hard work, I will not do anything for myself and I will not do anything with bad intent,” the BJP’s Prime Ministerial candidate said.
His thrust on doing nothing with “badh irada (bad intent)” assumes significance as certain sections, particularly the minorities, have apprehensions about his rule given the taint of 2002 riots.
Modi was speaking here at a function to release the party’s manifesto where he underlined that his main focus would be on “good governance and development” with a strong government at the centre.
Seeking a mandate for 60 months, Modi said the country is in bad state and full of pessimism and the manifesto outlines the “direction, goal and commitment” to correct the situation.
He said the government has the main responsibility of catering to the needs of the poor and deprived and his administration would focus on this aspect, particularly in the areas of education and healthcare.
Ram temple, Article 370 in BJP manifesto
New Delhi: The construction of Ram temple in Ayodhya and repealing Article 370 of the constitution that gives special status to Jammu and Kashmir find mention in the BJP’s election manifesto, though the focus largely remains on development and the economy.
The party’s stand on these issues is cited in two lines on the last page of the manifesto.
“BJP reiterates its stand to explore all possibilities within the framework of the constitution to facilitate the construction of Ram temple in Ayodhya,” the manifesto said.
Asked if the party was trying give the manifesto a religious tone, Murli Manohar Joshi, who headed the manifesto committee said: “It has nothing to do with Hindutva. Hindutva is not an election issue for us.”
“This is an issue which is of cultural importance to us,” Joshi said.
The manifesto also said Article 370 said should be repealed after consultations.
“BJP reiterates its stand on Article 370, and will discuss this with all stakeholders and remains committed to the abrogation of this article,” the manifesto said.
It also said the return of Kashmiri Pandits to the Kashmir Valley is on its agenda.
It also promised a uniform civil code, saying there cannot be gender equality without this. (IANS with inputs from PTI)
