Karnataka Assembly Elections: Nadda Releases BJP`s Manifesto, Promises To Implement UCC

In its manifesto for Karnataka Assembly elections, the BJP promised to implement the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) based on the recommendations given by a high-level committee.

New Delhi: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Monday released its manifesto for the upcoming Karnataka Assembly elections and promised the implementation of the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) if the party retains power. The manifesto, which was unveiled by BJP national president JP Nadda in the presence of Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai and his predecessor and Lingayat stalwart BS Yediyurappa, also promised to improve the 'ease of living' of apartment dwellers in Bengaluru. The saffron party also promised to provide 3 free cooking gas cylinders to all Below Poverty Line (BPL) families annually -- one each during the months of Yugadi, Ganesh Chaturthi, and Deepavali. 

In its manifesto, the ruling BJP said that it will launch the 'Poshana' scheme through which every BPL household will be provided with half litre of Nandini milk every day and 5 kg Shri Anna - Siri dhanya through monthly ration kits.

The BJP's manifesto for Karnataka was drafted after large scale consultations, JP Nadda said.

He added that the manifesto is centered around the following six themes -- food security, quality education, affordable and accessible healthcare, assured income support, social justice for all and, development and prosperity for all.

"To ensure social justice, we will implement the Uniform Civil Code in Karnataka based on the recommendations of the High-Level Committee constituted for the purpose," he said. 

Nadda added that the manifesto for Karnataka was not formulated sitting in an air-conditioned room and rather a due exercise was done.

"Our workers visited every nook and corner of the state and got suggestions and connected to lakhs of households before this content was created," he said.

He also slammed the previous Siddaramaiah-led government and called it an 'absolutely reverse gear government'.

The BJP leader said that the Siddaramaiah's government looted the natural resources and was letting the criminal and anti-social elements run amok.

"It was appeasing a certain section of the society only to consolidate its vote bank," he said.

The BJP is pulling out all stops to retain power in Karnataka which is seen as a gateway to the south for the saffron party.

It is locked in a tussle with the opposition Congress and the JD(S).

Assembly elections will be held in Karnataka on May 10 and the counting of votes will take place on May 13.