BJP manifesto for 2024 devoid of fiscal excess

Bullet trains, hike in Mudra loan limit among promises

- PRASANTA SAHU

PRIME MINISTER NARENDRA Modi on Sunday unveiled the BJP's election 'Modi ki Guarantee manifesto 2024'-,promising"next-generation reforms", opening up of "newer avenues of growth" in various sectors, bullet train corridors, and continuation of the welfare schemes rolled out during its last decade in power.

The document bore the imprint of the ruling dispensation's political and ideological convictions, with pledges to work towards 'One Nation, One Election', and implement the Uniform Civil Code, but was marked for the absence of any new fiscally expensive schemes.

While the Congress poll manifesto, Nyay Patra, unveiled on April 5 promised bounties to the electorate like 1 lakh per annum income support to "poor families" and universal cashless health insurance, the BJP showed restraint. The ruling party, with apparent confidence in securing a third term, sought to provide a counter-narrative of prudence and vision in its 'Sankalp Patra'.