BJP pledges good governance, brings pet issues in manifesto

BJP today pledged to end policy paralysis, corruption and "tax terrorism" while opposing FDI in multi-brand retail but stuck to its core agenda of Ram Temple construction, Uniform Civil Code and abrogation of Article 370 that gives special status to Jammu and Kashmir.
Unveiling a roadmap for the economic revival through good governance, the party, in its 42-page manifesto released here before a galaxy of leaders, including Narendra Modi, said its government will strategically develop high-impact domains like labour-intensive manufacturing and tourism.
While talking of good governance, a campaign theme of its Prime Ministerial candidate Modi, the party document significantly brought its contentious issues like construction of a Ram Temple in Ayodhya for which it promises to explore all possibilities within the Constitution.

On Uniform Civil Code, the manifesto said Article 44 of the Constitution lists Uniform Civil Code (UCC) as one of the directive principles of the state policy.
"BJP believes that there cannot be gender equality till such time India adopts a UCC which protects the rights of all women and the BJP reiterates its stand to draft a UCC drawing upon the best traditions and harmonising them with modern times," said the document prepared by a committee chaired by senior leader Murli Manohar Joshi.
Dealing with Article 370 in the chapter on Jammu and Kashmir, the manifesto said "the BJP reiterates its stand on the Constitution provision and will discuss this with all stakeholders and remains committed to the abrogation of this article."

Return of the Kashmiri Pandits to the land of their ancestors with full dignity, security and assured livelihood will figure hight on the BJP's agenda, it said.