New Delhi: The BJP released its manifesto for the Lok Sabha polls scheduled to start from April 11. Described by the party as its ‘Sankalp Patra’, the manifesto focuses on issues of development and national security.
The manifesto was released by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, BJP chief Amit Shah and manifesto committee chairperson Rajnath Singh.
Follow the live updates here:
1:10pm: PM Modi concludes his speech.
1:08pm: People sitting in air-conditioned rooms cannot beat poverty, only the poor can beat poverty. That’s why we have worked towards empowerment of the poor, says PM Narendra Modi
1:03pm: Separate Jal Shakti Mantralay will be established, announces PM Narendra Modi.
12:51pm: Nationalism is our inspiration, ‘antyodaya’ is our vision and good governance is our mantra, says Prime Minister Narendra Modi
12:49pm: The BJP manifesto is the true spirit of our democracy, says PM Modi.
12:46pm: We have set 75 well-defined resolutions in our manifesto that we can fulfill in a time bound manner. We are moving forward with ‘one mission, one direction’, says PM Modi.
12:44pm: PM Narendra Modi begins speaking at the BJP manifesto launch.
12:43pm: The BJP in its manifesto said this election will be about defeating dynasticism, casteism, communalism and corruption so that India’s democracy can be infused with greater strength.
12:43pm: Sushma Swaraj concludes her speech.
12:41pm: People ask what does PM Modi do on foreign trips? This is what Modiji has achieved with his foreign trips, member nations at the OIC did not agree to cancel India’s invitation even after Pakistan threatened to boycott the meeting, says Sushma Swaraj.
12:38pm: Under PM Modi’s leadership, Saudi Arabia recognised India by inviting it to the OIC, says Sushma Swaraj.
12:35pm: External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj begins addressing the audience at the BJP manifesto launch.
12:30pm: This is the first five years that India was the fastest global economy, says Arun Jaitley.
12:28pm: We are the only govt which not only controlled inflation, but gave to India a 5-year-tenure when taxes were only reduced, says Jaitley.
12:26pm: 2014 was an election which promised hope. Today, the environment is different, we have a government which delivered, says Arun Jaitley.
12:25pm: This manifesto has not been prepared by ‘tukde tukde’ mindset, says Arun Jaitley.
12:24pm: This Sankalp Patra is one of the government that will continue to stay in power, says union minister Arun Jaitley.
12:22pm: We will keep discussing simultaneous polls, says Rajnath Singh
12:18pm: We are committed to annulling Article 35A as it is discriminatory against non-permanent residents of Jammu and Kashmir.
12:14pm: The BJP’s Sankalp Patra for the 2019 Lok Sabha elections.
12:10pm: Will provide pension to small and marginal farmers after 60 years of age, says Rajnath Singh.
12:07pm: Will explore all possible options and will ensure Ram Mandir is built as soon as possible, says Rajnath Singh
12:06pm: With all our promises in this manifesto, we are taking a step towards building a ‘New India’, says Union home minister Rajnath Singh
12:05pm: Have tried to reach out to people through party, social media to understand their ‘mann ki baat’, says Rajnath Singh.
12:02pm: “India reached new heights under the leadership of PM Modi,” says Rajnath Singh
12:00pm: Home minister Rajnath Singh speaks at the BJP manifesto launch.
11:55am: PM Narendra Modi, union minister Rajnath Singh and BJP chief Amit Shah release BJP manifesto for the 2019 Lok Sabha elections.
BJP releases Sankalp Patra for Lok Sabha elections 2019. #BJPSankalpPatr2019 pic.twitter.com/SO4JNtc4Oq
— BJP (@BJP4India) April 8, 2019
11:48am: “Not a single scam has happened during our tenure, as opposed to the UPA’s cam-riddled tenure,” says Amit Shah.
11:47am: “We did so much work. 12 crore farmers will get input support to improve their production. We have improved our ranking in terms of economy around the world,” Amit Shah at the BJP manifesto launch
11:45am: “The journey from 2014 to 2019 will be remembered in history as golden period of development,” says BJP chief Amit Shah.
11.35am: PM Narendra Modi and BJP chief Amit Shah arrive on stage for the launch of BJP’s election manifesto.
11:21am: Union ministers Sushma Swaraj, Arun Jaitley and Rajnath Singh take their places on the dais.
11:20am: Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s cavalcade draws up outside the BJP headquarters. BJP president Amit Shah receives PM Modi.
11:13am: Senior BJP leaders and Union ministers arrive for the launch of the party’s manifesto.
11:11am: BJP leaders waiting for PM Modi and Amit Shah to arrive.
11:07am: Union minister Rajnath Singh arrives at the manifesto launch.
11:06am: Senior BJP leaders Nirmala Sitharaman, Piyush Goyal and Arun Jaitley arrive at the BJP headquarters ahead of the manifesto launch.
11:02am: Senior BJP leader Arun Jaitley Sunday unveiled campaign themes and other materials of the party’s election campaign, with “Phir ek baar, Modi sarkar (Modi government, once more)” as the tag line.
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An Election Manifesto is really important for a challenger. For an incumbent, at the end of five power packed years, it is all about the Report Card.