BJP’s Sonia mania now official

"Vajpayee," says the manifesto, "is not a person who claims leadership by birth in, or relationship with, any dynasty. He is a leader by virtue of his long and dedicated service of the nation." The intention is to draw a contrast with Sonia, whose sole political credential is her marriage into the Gandhi family.

The manifesto states the party’s commitment to Hindutva, construction of aRam temple in Ayodhya, total ban on cow slaughter, abrogation of Article 370 and common civil code. While not committing itself to a time-frame, the BJP has said that it will explore all consensual, legal and constitutional means to facilitate the construction of a Ram temple in Ayodhya.

Asked how the party would reconcile the dilution of these views when it came to framing a common minimum programme (CMP) with its moderate allies, Advani declared, "A CMP does not mean compromise or dilution. It means an agreement between parties which have different views coming together for governance."

Advani also justified not having a CMP before the polls, arguing that those who voted for the BJP would do so because of the party’s commitments. Advani made it clear that the BJP would have a coalition government after the elections and there would definitely be a CMP.

Taking a hawkish stand on national security and the nuclear issue, the manifesto states that the BJP will review the country’s nuclear policy andexercise the option to induct nuclear weapons.

Questioned if this meant that a BJP government would conduct nuclear tests, party president Advani said a decision will only be taken after all the facts are placed before them. Promising to do in 10 years what others could not in 50, the BJP has visualised a "second freedom struggle": freedom from unemployment (generate one crore jobs each year), from homelessness (20 lakh houses a year), hunger, illiteracy (full literacy by 2010), fear (riot-free and terrorism-free India), social strife, Centre-state discord, from poor infrastructure and from mental slavery (make every Indian believe in India).

The party’s manifesto has also promised freedom for women by vowing to see that legislation for 33 per cent reservation for women in Parliament and State Assemblies is passed, besides assuring free education for girls upto graduation.

A comprehensive review of the Constitution by setting up a commission made up of constitutional experts and eminentparliamentarians; creating separate states of Uttaranchal, Vananchal, Vidarbha and Chhattisgarh and full Statehood to Delhi; taking steps to check the misuse of Article 356 and judicial reforms.