The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) released its manifesto for the Kerala Assembly elections on Tuesday, March 31.
The manifesto includes several major promises such as financial help for needy women and senior citizens above 70 years of age, two free LPG cylinders every year for poor families, setting up an AIIMS in the state, and protection of temples.
The party has also promised monthly financial support of ₹2,500 for women, a pension of ₹3,000 for the elderly, 20,000 litres of free water for every household, and major infrastructure projects like AIIMS and high-speed rail connectivity.
Voting for Kerala’s 140-member Assembly will be held in a single phase on April 9, and the counting of votes will take place on May 4.
Manifesto Released by Nitin Naveen
Bharatiya Janata Party National President Nitin Naveen released the manifesto at an NDA event.
On Tuesday, he accused the Communist Party of India (Marxist) (CPI-M) and the Congress of being “match fixers” and said that they are playing games with the people of Kerala.
He also appealed to the people to vote for the BJP in the April 9 Assembly elections.
Key Promises in the Manifesto
The manifesto promises a high-speed railway network connecting Kerala’s capital, Thiruvananthapuram, to Kannur.
It also promises 20,000 litres of free water for every family and water security for both Tamil Nadu and Kerala regarding the Mullaperiyar Dam.
Every woman from poor and BPL (below poverty line) families will be given a ‘Bhakshya Arogya Suraksha Card’, which will have a monthly recharge of ₹2,500.
Women can use this card at pharmacies and grocery stores.
Apart from this, women heads of poor families, widows, and senior citizens above 70 years of age will receive a welfare pension of ₹3,000 per month.
The BJP has also promised one free LPG cylinder every year to poor families during Onam and Christmas.
Temple Protection and Development
The BJP said that it will reorganize the Devaswom Board to protect Sabarimala, Guruvayoor, and all other places of worship.
The aim is to increase the participation of devotees in temple management.
The NDA manifesto also said that corruption will be removed through a time-bound CBI investigation into the Sabarimala gold theft case.
In addition, the party promised to launch a ‘Sabarimala Infrastructure Development Mission’ for large-scale infrastructure development work for devotees visiting the Sabarimala temple.
