Karnataka BJP manifesto promises Uniform Civil Code, deportation of 'illegal migrants'

The BJP manifesto promised among other things the implementation of a Uniform Civil Code (UCC) by constituting a high-level committee to make its recommendations. The UCC, it said, will be implemented in the state "based on the recommendations given by a high-level committee which is to be constituted for the purpose".

Bengaluru (Karnataka): The BJP manifesto for Karnataka Assembly Election 2023, which was released here on Monday, announced a slew of promises including the implementation of the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) and NRC. The party also promised three free cooking gas cylinders per year and half a litre of free Nandini milk daily for BPL families among other populist promises.

The manifesto was released at a program held at Hotel Shangrila in Bengaluru. Speaking on the occasion, BJP National President JP Nadda said the Congress was playing politics of vote bank while the BJP was committed to pro-development agenda.

The BJP manifesto promised among other things the implementation of a Uniform Civil Code (UCC) by constituting a high-level committee to make its recommendations. The UCC, it said, will be implemented in the state "based on the recommendations given by a high-level committee which is to be constituted for the purpose". The party also promised the introduction of the National Register of Citizens (NRC) and "speedy deportation of all illegal migrants".

It also assured to constitute the Karnataka Residents’ Welfare Consultative Committee to enhance the ease of living in apartments and speed up the grievance redressal mechanism. Besides, the BJP promises 3 free cooking gas cylinders per year to all Below Poverty Line (BPL) families during festivals. The ‘Poshana’ scheme will be launched to provide every BPL household with half a litre of Nandini milk every day and 5 kg of Shri Anna rice per month.

Member of the Central Parliamentary Board and former Chief Ministers of the State BS Yeddyurappa, BJP State President Nalin Kumar Kateel, State Chief Ministers Basavaraja Bommai, State Election Management Committee Coordinator and Union Minister Shobha Karandlaje, Minister of State and Convener of the Manifesto Advisory Committee Dr K Sudhakar took part in the program.

A keen contest is on the cards between the Bharatiya Janata Party and the Congress at the State level. The Janata Dal-Secular is giving a tight contest in some constituencies. The BJP is banking on the campaign launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who addressed several election meetings and held roadshows when he attacked the Congress for its alleged personal abusive remarks against him.

Quota politics also took centre stage with Congress leader and former Chief Minister Siddharamaiah saying that their party would increase reservations for deserving sections if voted to power. In the midst of these high-stakes election battles, the Congress successfully wooed several BJP leaders like former chief minister Jagdish Shettar.

The BJP is relying on PM Modi's image and the saffron brigade's double-engine growth promises to help romp back to power. On the other hand, the Congress is relying on the anti-incumbency factor and the campaign by Priyanka Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi. As Karnataka is the only southern State where the two national parties are having a strong base, both BJP and Congress are making every possible effort to win the election.