AI University, $1 Trillion Economy, Law Against Forced Conversion In BJP Maharashtra Manifesto

From loan waivers to farmers and increased old-age pensions to laws against 'forced' conversion and reduction in electricity bills, read BJP's poll promises for Maharashtra.

Mumbai:Union Minister Amit Shah on Sunday released the BJP’s ‘Sankalp Patra’ manifesto here for the November 20 Maharashtra assembly polls. The promises in the 60-page manifesto, a copy of which was accessed by ETV Bharat, range from monthly financial assistance under Ladki Bahin Yojanaand loan waiver to farmers to making the western state a global capital for fintech and artificial intelligence (AI).

The BJP has also promised to bring in a strict law against "forced conversions ensuring protection from coercive and deceptive religious conversions".

Releasing the manifesto, Shah said the ‘Sankalp Patra’ was a reflection of the aspirations of the people of Maharashtra. Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis, state BJP chief Chandrashekhar Bawankule, Mumbai BJP chief Ashish Shelar, Union Minister Piyush Goyal and other leaders of the party were present on the occasion.

Highlights Of BJP's 'Sankalp Patra'?

1. Rs 2100 monthly financial assistance under Ladki Bahin Yojana.
2. Loan waiver to farmers; Samman Nidhi increase from Rs 12,000 to Rs 15,000; 20% alignment on MSP.
3. Farm tracks will be built across 45,000 villages in Maharashtra.
4. Rs 15,000 per month to Anganwadi workers.
5. Increase in old-age pension from Rs 1500 to Rs 2100.
6. 10 lakh students to get Rs 10,000 monthly stipend, Aim to create 25 lakh job opportunities.
7. Rs 15 lakh interest-free loans for SC, ST and OBC entrepreneurs.
8. 30% reduction in electricity bills.
9. Maharastra to be made $1 trillion economy by 2028.
10. Vision Maharastra 2029 to be presented within 100 days of forming the government.
11. Strict law against forced and fraudulent conversions.
12. By 2027, 50 lakh lakhpati didis to be created in Maharashtra.
13. ‘MAHARATHI (Maharashtra Advanced Robotics and AI Training Hub Initiative)—ATL (Atal Tinkering Labs) Yojana’, offering Robotics and AI learning opportunities in all State Government schools.
14. Maharashtra to be established as the global capital for fintech and artificial intelligence (AI). The country’s first dedicated AI university to be established to foster AI research, innovation, and development.
15. Nagpur, Pune, Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Ahilyanagar, and Nashik to be developed into modern aeronautical and space production centres.

'Can Rahul Gandhi say two good words for Savarkar?'

During the event, Amit Shah took a dig at Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray accusing him of siding with the Congress, whose leaders have "insulted" Balasaheb Thackeray and Veer Savarkar.

Posing a question to Uddhav Thackeray, Shah asked if he could "request" Congress leader Rahul Gandhi to say "two good words" for Veer Savarkar. “Can any Congress leader say a few words in honour of Balasaheb Thackeray,” Shah said.

“It would be good if the people of Maharashtra get to know those who have come out with the dream of forming an alliance government amidst such contradictions,” he said.

On religion-based reservation

Shah said an organization of Muslim clerics (Ulemas) has demanded reservations for minorities, and the state Congress president Nana Patole acknowledged it.

“Are the people of Maharashtra in favour of giving their right of reservation meant for the SCs, STs and OBCs to the Muslims,” Shah said. “Our constitution does not provide reservations based on religion. However, Congress promised reservations before coming to power, and people should take cognizance of this issue,” he said.

The BJP's resolutions are etched in stone, Shah said. “Whether it is the Centre or the state, when our government is formed, we fulfill our resolutions,” he added. The opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi’s poll promises are an insult to ideology and promote appeasement, Shah said.

The Congress has reneged on pre-election promises it made in states ruled by it now, he said, adding the Maha Vikas Aghadi has no credibility.

'What was Sharad Pawar's contribution as UPA minister?'

“Sharad Pawar should tell the people of Maharashtra what was his contribution to them while he was a minister for 10 years in the UPA government,” Shah said.

“Maharashtra has been leading the country in every field for ages. The Bhakti movement started from Maharashtra, the movement for freedom from slavery was also started by Shivaji Maharaj from here, the social revolution also started from here and the reflection of the aspirations of the people of Maharashtra is seen in our Sankalp Patra,” Shah said.

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