New Delhi: From an analogy between mosquitoes and terrorists to taking down pollution levels by 35 per cent, the BJP’s TV and radio ads are seeking a renewed mandate for Prime Minister Narendra Modi to “complete the unfinished tasks” he had promised in his 2014 manifesto.
With the election season in full swing, the BJP is massively turning to radio and prime-time TV slots to aid its campaigning but with no new promises, the running theme in these advertisements is the party seeking more time to “further” and “expand” its initiatives and schemes.
Sample this: In one of BJP’s latest ads, a daughter, getting ready to cast her vote, speaks to her mother on the importance of voting for Modi. “2014 mein humne Modiji ko vote diya to sabhi Brastachariyon ko jail ke darwaze tak le aaye woh… ab 2019 ka vote unhe jail mein thoons dega. (We voted for Modi in 2014 and he brought the corrupt to the gates of prisons, a vote for him in 2019 will ensure their passage to prison),” the daughter says.
Here is another: Husband to a wife using smoke to ward off mosquitoes: Kya hona hai is dhuyen se (what will happen with this smoke).
Wife: Macchar bhagenge ya marenge iske dar se (mosquitoes will either flee or get killed).
Husband: Waise hee aatankwadi bhagenge ya marenge Modi ke dar se ( Oh, just like how terrorists flee or get killed due to fear of Modi)”.
The issue of national security has taken precedence in the BJP ad campaign but here too, the party seeks more time to carry out its “aggressive” approach.
For instance, take this advertisement, which promises a permanent solution to terrorism if Modi is voted to power for the next five years. “Pichle vote se kada operation kiya.. aur yeh vote se chalo aatank ka safaya karte hain (The last vote ensured strict action (against terrorism), let us finish terrorism with this vote),” says the voice-over.
But with a host of these BJP advertisements citing five years as being insufficient to fulfil all of the party’s 2014 promises, ThePrint takes a look at these “unfulfilled tasks” that the party’s 2019 poll campaign has centred around.
Also read: It’s more politics, less music in the battle of the BJP & Congress campaign songs
The unfulfilled tasks
Combating infiltration: “We will expeditiously complete the National Register of Citizens,” reads the party’s 2019 manifesto. In 2014, the BJP had promised to “address the issue of infiltration and illegal migrants by drawing a clear policy”.
Make in India (defence): The 2019 manifesto mentions manufacturing of modern AK-203 modern automatic rifles in Amethi as work that has started. It also adds that focus is needed on Make In India in the defence sector, which, it says, “will also generate employment”.
In 2014, the BJP had promised to “encourage domestic industry to have a larger share in design and production of military hardware and platforms for both domestic use and exports, in a competitive environment.”
Agriculture: The Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi, launched by the Modi government in February, pays Rs 6,000 annually to farmers who own less than two hectares of land. Now, the BJP has promised to expand it to all farmers.
In 2014, the BJP had promised to put in place “welfare measures” for small and marginal farmers above 60 years of age. This promise finds a mention in the 2019 manifesto as well.
A BJP promise in 2014 was that the party would double farmer income by 2022, even then suggesting that it required a second term to ensure better livelihood to farmers.
Entrepreneurship: From being the second point in the 2014 manifesto, entrepreneurship, including the promotion of start-ups, has dropped at least 11 places, to become the 13th point on the BJP’s 2019 agenda.
The 2019 document promises a scheme for collateral-free credit of up to Rs 50 lakh, and a seed fund for start-ups worth Rs 20,000 crore.
By 2024, the capital investment of Rs 100 lakh crore in infrastructure will be made, the party has promised.
2014 promises in 2019 manifesto
Police reforms: “The government if voted back to power will also continue to reform and modernise the central armed police forces, speed up the purchase of outstanding defence purchases,” says the 2019 manifesto. These promises had found mention in 2014 as well.
Jammu and Kashmir: The Modi regime has promised to take decisive action to ensure peace in the region and ensure the safe return of Kashmiri Pandits. It also maintains that it will annul Article 35A Article 370. All of this was mentioned in the 2014 manifesto.
Air pollution: The party has promised to convert the National Clean Air Plan into a mission. It has identified the 102 most polluted cities in the country and promised to reduce pollution by 35 per cent.
Also read: Advani & Joshi sidelined again, now they’re both out of BJP’s Lok Sabha poll campaign
Whether Modi fulfilled his promises of 2014 or not there is a big change in the country. Who wants scams? Zero scams itself is an acheivement. I am not considering the so called ruffael as a scam. Then people waited for 60 years to see a change. Now the opposition is asking all the changes in 5years. Why didn’t they change the country in 60 years of their rule. The disgusting opposition.
In office, sixty months are never enough to surpass what was achieved in the preceding sixty years.