The BJP published its manifesto for Assam on Tuesday promising a “corrected National Register of Citizens (NRC)” if it came to power. Among its ten commitments, the party also mentioned several development measures, including the promise to solve the problem of the Assam floods, as well as the protection of indigenous rights.
Revealing the “Sankalpa Patra” in Guwahati, BJP National Chairman JP Nadda said: “We are committed to bringing in a corrected NRC to secure and protect Assam … We will protect genuine Indian citizens and detect illegal infiltrators so that Assam can continue being from Assam. “
Assam’s final NRC, which excluded 19 lakh people, was published on August 31, 2019. After that, the BJP government led by Sarbananda Sonowal, claiming illegal exclusions and inclusions, argued that it will not accept the NRC in its current form. Since then, the list has remained in limbo, with the excluded who have not yet issued rejection orders with which they can appeal in the state’s Alien Courts (FT).
While in neighboring West Bengal state, which is also going to the polls, the BJP promised to implement the Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA) at the first Cabinet meeting if it came to power, the law, which sparked widespread protests in Assam. – found no mention in the manifest.
(Twitter / @ BJP4Assam)
While the CAA was approved by the Modi government in December 2019, it has yet to go into effect as its rules have yet to be notified. While the BJP has been silent on the matter in Assam, Congress has made it one of its main voting forums.
When asked about it, Nadda said the CAA had “been approved by Parliament” and that it “would be implemented in letter and spirit.” On the congressional poll promise to override the law, he said the law was “central legislation” and when voting in Assam, “state legislation cannot change central legislation.” “This could be a lack of knowledge or a way to mislead the Assam public,” he said.
Nadda said that the BJP’s goal in Assam has always been the protection of “Jaati, Maati and Bheti” or indigenous interests.
To that end, the party has promised a delineation exercise (act of redrawing the boundaries of Lok Sabha and the Assembly seats to represent changes in the population) to protect the political rights of the people, a working group to regain Sattra’s land of “illegal encroachment”, financial aid of Rs 2.5 lakh to all Naamghars and tribal places of worship, and distribution of land pattas (titles) to all landless Indian citizens in Assam .
With a special focus on women voters, the party has said it will increase the cast of Orunudoi, a DBT scheme targeting women members of disadvantaged families, from Rs 830 to Rs 3,000. Thirty lakh families will be brought under him.
Other highlights include Mission Bala Unnayan, or free education for all children in government schools and free bicycles for students in Class 8 and above, and Assam Aahar Atmanirbharta Yojana, which will push the state towards self-sufficiency in essential foods.
“We have worked tirelessly in Assam, whether it is about the protection of culture, the security of the state or the commitment to prosperity,” said Nadda.
He said Assam will become India’s fastest job creator in the country and promised two lakhs of government jobs (of which one lakh will be provided by March 31, 2022). Another ‘Sankalpa’, or compromise, is to make Assam the business hub of India. Ten lakh of young entrepreneurs will be created throughout Swami Vivekananda Asam Youth Employment Yojana.
The party has also promised that Assam will be “free from floods” if elected to power. “Under the Brahmaputra Mission, we will look for new ways to protect Assam from the devastation of the annual floods,” said Nadda, “We will approach it scientifically: we will build large reservoirs to collect water from the river and its tributaries.” A river dredging mechanism from Dhubri (in western Assam) to Sadiya (in eastern Assam) is part of the plan.
The event was attended by Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal, Finance Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, Assam BJP President Ranjeet Dass, Assam BJP Head Jay Panda, Union Ministers and BJP Leaders Narendra Singh Tomar and Jitendra Singh, among other dignitaries and politicians.
Assam will go to the polls in three phases: March 27, April 1 and April 6. Results will be declared on May 2.
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