Achievements, not promises

R egarding the editorial ‘An exercise in continuity’ (Apr 16), the BJP released its election manifesto, betting big on PM Narendra Modi’s credibility as the man who delivers and the party’s development plank, while showing no interest to match promises made by its opponents. The manifesto builds on further acceleration of infrastructure creation and upgrade and an ambitious plan to develop the country into a global manufacturing hub. Interestingly, the BJP has promised to implement the recommendations of a committee for simultaneously polls across India. In a contrast from Oppn parties, BJP mentions fiscal prudence as a tool for economic management. Keeping distance from caste census, it hasn’t also gone the Congress’s way promising for a legal guarantee for MSP for farm produce, and instead, it offers to incentivise crop diversification.The manifesto mentions many measures already implemented by the BJP, including the ongoing free grain scheme covering two-thirds of the population, piped drinking water, and other anti-poverty programmes, particularly in housing. Criminalisation of triple talaq is also cited as an achievement. In its pitch for a third term, the BJP promises the implementation of the CAA and the law for women’s reservations.The manifesto talks about the BJP’s strategy and vision which indicates continuity in the trajectory of India set during the last 10 years. After two terms, the BJP had to necessarily recount its achievements, but as a ruling party, its promises should have been more substantive. The voters will certainly weigh the promises against the achievements.