BJP's candidate for prime minister Narendra Modi promised development as well as politically contentious promises, such as revoking Jammu and Kashmir's special status. PHOTO: AFP/FILE
Modi and other Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders unveiled their blueprint for government just hours after polls opened in the world's biggest election, which they are widely expected to win.
"Good governance and development (are) the two issues on which we are fighting these elections," Modi said at party headquarters in New Delhi.
The 52-page manifesto also pledges to revise the country's nuclear doctrine whose main principal is that New Delhi would not be the first to use nuclear weapons in a conflict.
A new government would revise the doctrine "to make it more relevant to challenges of current times" without giving details, the manifesto said. India carried out nuclear tests in 1998, and rival Pakistan quickly followed suit, before New Delhi drew up the policy.
It would also modernise the armed forces, "deal with cross border terrorism with a firm hand" and strengthen the country's borders.
Focusing on economic reforms, the document welcomed foreign direct investment by almost all companies -- except by overseas supermarkets -- in a bid to create much-needed jobs and kickstart the flagging economy.
The BJP pledged to simplify the taxation system, review labour laws, and focus on infrastructure such as new cities, high-speed railways, broadband Internet and build low-cost housing for families.
The right-wing party, voted out of power in 2004, also stuck to controversial Hindu nationalist ideals which worry religious minorities, particularly Muslims, in Hindu-majority but officially secular India.
The BJP committed to a longstanding demand for the building of a temple to honour the Hindu god Ram on the site of India's most notorious religious flashpoint.
The party in 1992 supported the destruction of a mosque believed to have been built over Ram's birthplace in the town of Ayodhya in northern India. Resulting riots left more than 2,000 people dead.
The manifesto also promised BJP support to end the slaughter of cows, which Hindus consider sacred, and to repeal special autonomous rights granted to Kashmir, the country's only Muslim-majority state.
The BJP also reiterated its intention to draft a uniform civil code for all Indians, a deeply sensitive and controversial issue which has always divided the population along religious lines.
The Indian constitution allows the country's billion-plus citizens to be governed by their own religious laws, a privilege enjoyed by minorities such as Muslims and Christians.
Senior BJP leader Murali Manohar Joshi said the Ram temple issue was included in the manifesto because it was "culturally important", but stressed that "Hindutva" (a Hindu nationalist agenda) was not on the election agenda.
COMMENTS (21)
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@I am a Khan...A person born in a country created in the name of Islam is worrying about 'hindu fundamentalist India' what a farce!!!! Dear you've already got your dreamland so what to worry!!!. Either you're afraid or you're jealous that another fundamentalist come here to cmplete you!!???BTW we're happy to live in a hindu fundamentalist India till Mr Modi performs on what he promised in 51 1/2 pages of his menifest rather than worryin about what he thinks in 1/2 page.
"indian proud Hind man oh yeah man why not and Muslims of india did nothing read the history who died in uncount numbers against colony imperialism and look at how was the indian economy during Mughal period and what was when English left and one more thing these mission school were part of making the chumcha and english long running poodles and muslims didnot devoloped afghanistan or central asia but english ??? and muslims still lived and dies for india but Hindu never accept them or give them jobs in forces or other bearocracy???
@confused! Yuck was it there in the first plAce? Not that I am aware off. Most MNC food chains have veg options and egg/chicken in non veg.
@Indian proud Hindu Man: This is true of all polytheistic faiths and cultures. It is monotheism which gives a contributes to a rigid mind.
@Asad@NYC: Still doubts about two nation theory? It is good for India and whether it is so so for Pakistan which only Pakistan can give the answers
@Raza: and it's about time it did if it wants to progress like China
So no more steaks, short ribs, nihari or big mac in India?
@I am a Khan:
By the same token, calling Pakistan a terrorist state should be in order too! Right?
If Pakistan truly cares about its minorities then other minorities should also be rules by their own religious laws not by sharia.
@nikki anybody can be PM of secular india. @ I am khan There is no farce, india is a secular country unless someone changes the constitution by voting of 2/3 majority in parliament to bring amendment and make it a Hindu country. There is no chance ever of that happening, he's never going to get 2/3rd majority votes in parliament for such constitutional amendment. Because getting support of 2/3rd means taking support from seculars and minority party which is impossible and never going to happen..
@I am a Khan it will openly be known as hindu fundamentalist India (which it already is in reality).
Extremist Pakistan calls others fundamentalist. Salute your courage and hypocrisy.
So, Modi is out there to prove Jinnah right about the two-nation theory?
If Jinnah can be secular being part of Muslim League and creating Pakistan on the basis of religion what is wrong with Hindu Nationalism? Anyway Hindu in literary sense doesn't mean religion, it is more about ethnicity and geography.
@Raza
Once this dictator gets elected, Bollywood will only make films based on Hindy mythology. No more Munni, Sheila or Baby Doll for you guys.
Its won't be so bad. You'll take a liking for it after a while especially if the special effects are any good.
well its good that the farce of secular india soon comes to an end and it will openly be known as hindu fundamentalist India (which it already is in reality). calling a spade a spade is the best policy.
Biggest democracy in the world will soon be the biggest dictatorship in the world
If India is truly secular, I don't see the point of having "Hindu nationalism."
Only half page is dedicated on Hinduism and other complete book is dedicated on development and social equality but it makes headlines
I think it is good decision to review the no first use policy of nuclear arsenal because now India is not isolated on nuclear technology
Really, is he going to be the PM of secular India?
He reminds me a bit of Netanhau except he wants to use a military which he never had the guts to join. Having high level leaders associated with massacres isn't the brightest idea and will create problems solidifying relationships on the international scene.