BJP unveils J&K poll manifesto, promises ₹18,000 for elderly women
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Friday released its manifesto for the upcoming Jammu and Kashmir Assembly elections. The event was attended by Union Home Minister Amit Shah, J&K BJP chief Ravinder Raina, and other party leaders. In his address, Shah emphasized the party's commitment to keeping Jammu and Kashmir as an integral part of India. He also highlighted the region's historical challenges with terrorism and separatism.
BJP's manifesto promises financial aid, education support
The BJP's manifesto includes a promise to provide ₹18,000 annually to the eldest woman in every family under the "Maa Samman Yojana." It also pledges two free cylinders per year under the Ujjwala scheme and a travel allowance of ₹3,000 for college students under Pragati Shiksha Yojana. Shah vowed to eradicate terrorism completely from J&K and proposed a white paper to hold accountable those involved in its emergence.
Shah criticizes previous governments
While unveiling the manifesto, Shah criticized previous governments for their "politics of appeasement" in dealing with J&K's issues. He added that the period between 2014 and 2024 will be remembered positively in history. The home minister also hit out at the National Conference and Congress over their stance on Article 370, stating it "is history, it will never return." "Article 370 was the thing that gave weapons and stones in the hands of the youth," he added.
BJP's manifesto addresses reservations, rehabilitation in J&K
The manifesto also addressed the issue of reservations in J&K, with Shah criticizing the impact of Article 370 on marginalized communities. He stated that due to Article 370, reservations could not be implemented and injustice was done to women, Dalit brothers, and tribals. The BJP has worked to bring reservations into effect on the ground with a 10% reservation for EWS (Economically Weaker Sections) being implemented and increased reservation for OBCs.
BJP's manifesto promises rehabilitation for Kashmiri Pandits
The manifesto also includes a rehabilitation scheme for Kashmiri Pandits and assistance from the state government for Women SHGs on bank loan interest. The J&K Assembly elections will be held in eight phases, beginning on October 3 and ending on November 5. The counting of votes will take place on November 7. This is the first time since the abrogation of Article 370 that assembly elections are being held in J&K.
