Modi’s BJP promises jobs, common civil code in manifesto for India election

The Hindu nationalist party unveils its promises days before the start of a multiphase general election.

India’s governing party has pledged to create jobs, boost infrastructure and expand welfare programmes if it wins a third term in the marathon general election, starting in less than a week.

Releasing its manifesto ahead of the polls, Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Sunday also promised to introduce a new common civil code for the country, calling it a crucial step for gender equality in the world’s most populous nation.

The general election, which begins on April 19, will be held in seven stages, until June 1. Votes are due to be counted on June 4 and results are expected the same day.

Seeking to address key voter concerns after releasing the manifesto, titled Modi’s Guarantee, at the BJP headquarters in New Delhi, Modi said, “Our focus is on dignity of life … on quality of life, our focus is also on creating jobs through investment.”

Modi, 73, is widely tipped to win a record-equalling third term on the back of his 10-year record – which includes economic growth, infrastructure projects, welfare handouts – and aggressive Hindu nationalism.

He has been campaigning extensively across the country, promising to expand India’s economy to $5 trillion by 2027 from about $3.7 trillion. He also promises to put India on track to become a developed country by 2047, when the country celebrates 100 years of independence from British colonialists.

Surveys, however, suggest unemployment, inflation and rural distress remain the issues of concern among the voters. Last week, a survey by Lokniti-CSDS said unemployment was the primary concern of 27 percent of the 10,000 voters across 19 of India’s 28