BJP continues with Uniform Civil Code as poll agenda, puts it in its Karnataka manifesto, promises NRC

Released the BJP’s manifesto for Karnataka Assembly Elections 2023 in Bengaluru.

Our manifesto is a vision document for a developed Karnataka. It encompasses a forward looking approach and promises to fulfil the aspirations of everyone in Karnataka .#BJPPrajaPranalike2023 pic.twitter.com/VvnH4iXm29

— Jagat Prakash Nadda (@JPNadda) May 1, 2023

It also promises to introduce the National Register of Citizens (NRC) “to ensure speedy deportation of all illegal immigrants in the state”.

The party goes on to assure a committee “to grant complete autonomy of temple administration to devotees”, and says this will also look at “regulating local businesses around temples to create a sustainable temple economy”.

One of the issues raised by Hindutva groups in the state is “banning” of Muslims from running shops on temple premises, or setting up shops during temple fairs.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi lauded the manifesto as “development-centric”, and said it sets the tone for building on the good work done by the party’s government in the last four years in the state.

The BJP manifesto is divided under six heads – Anna (food security), Abhaya (social welfare), Akshara (education), Aarogya (health), Abhivrudhhi (development) and Aadaaya (income).

One of the promises is provision of half litre of Nandini milk every day to BPL families under Poshan Yojana. This comes amidst apprehensions regarding a plan to merge state-run Karnataka Milk Federation’s Nandini dairy brand with Gujarat’s Amul, and fears of Amul’s entry into the state hurting Nandini’s interests, which the Opposition has taken up.

The Poshan Yojana also envisages monthly ration kits, with 5 kg millets free along with 5 kg rice.

The BJP promises three LPG cylinders free per year to BPL families, to be distributed in the months of Yugadi, Ganesh Chaturthi and Deepavali. This is similar to a promise by the BJP in the Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections last year, announcing two free cylinders to BPL families under the Ujjwala Scheme.

Earlier, in its manifesto, the JD(S) had announced five cylinders free.

Similar to its ‘Annapoorna canteen’ promise in the 2018 manifesto, the BJP’s manifesto this time talks of ‘Atal Aahara Kendras’ in every municipal ward for “affordable, quality and hygienic food”.

The BJP’s Annapoora promise remains unfulfilled, even though these canteens were meant to replace the Indira Canteens set up during Congress rule in the state.

The Congress described the BJP’s manifesto as “JhootLoot BJP Moneyfesto” and asserted that people will vote out the party. Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh tweeted, “People are fed up of price rise, BJP’s lies and their bogus jumlas!”

Last year, on the final day of campaigning for the Uttarakhand Assembly polls, the BJP had promised to bring in a UCC if voted to power. It had subsequently included the promise in its manifesto for the elections in Gujarat and Himachal.

Asked about the UCC promise Monday and whether this would polarise the state, Nadda said they were working within the ambit of the Constitution. “Within the Constitution, we are permitted and directed to implement the Uniform Civil Code. We will move towards the UCC… Regarding communalism, the clear meaning is that what we know and what we believe in: ‘Justice for All and Appeasement for None’ and ‘Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas, Sabka Prayas’ (everyone’s cooperation, everyone’s development, everyone’s trust and everyone’s efforts),” the BJP president said.

On whether the party was planning to implement the UCC nationwide, Nadda said, “In whichever states there are elections, we are getting stronger… We will take it (the UCC) forward. States form the nation. This will further lead that way.”

The BJP manifesto also promises to create a special wing in the state called ‘Karnataka State Wing against Religious Fundamentalism and Terror (K-SWIFT)’, thematic tourist destinations around Hindu pilgrim sites, and renovation of dilapidated temples at a cost of Rs 1,000 crore.

Other major assurances by the BJP include allocation equivalent to 6% of the Gross State Domestic Product to the education sector, constructing 10 lakh houses for the homeless;’ free annual master health check-up for senior citizens; a ‘State Capital Region’ for Bengaluru leading to “comprehensive city development strategy, cohesive transportation networks and cutting-edge digital integration”; and a Global Innovation Hub for the city, inspired by a Tel Aviv model.

The JD(S) manifesto, released in April, focused on women empowerment and welfare of farmers.

The Congress is expected to release its manifesto Tuesday.