Amid the electioneering for the 2024 elections to crucial Lok Sabha and Assembly elections, National President of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) JP Nadda released Odisha BJP’s long-awaited Sankalp Patra (election manifesto) at a hotel in Bhubaneswar on Sunday.
With its ambition to form the government in Odisha, the BJP in its poll plank/Sankalp Patra, has made a host of promises keeping the people of various categories – mainly farmers, women, youths and the poor -- in mind.
Releasing the manifesto, JP Nadda said, “First of all, the manifesto is a very serious document. Lakhs of suggestions came and they were compiled as manifesto. The political culture has been changed in the country under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi – politics reforms, development and politics of accountability.”
He said, “Our Sankalp (commitments) is meant for achievement. We will move from commitment to perfection. We will fulfil our commitments. The manifesto is an implementation of our programmes for the next five years.
He said, "We have committed to create 25 Lakpati Didis in Odisha by promoting industry cluster with the help of 500 SHGs by 2027and to provide R10,000 assistance to fishermen during non-production period."
“We will end the all-spread corrupt practice of the BJD government after coming to power. We will adopt zero tolerance towards corruption. The revenue generated from the anti-corruption drive will be spent for public welfare,” he added.
He further stated, “We promise to return the money to small investors who have been cheated by chit-fund companies within 18 months after coming to power. The chit-fund fraudsters will be taken to task. Besides, revenue generated from the mining sector will be spent on the progress of Odisha. We are thinking of farmers, youths and women.”
"For farmers, the BJP has decided to Samrudh Krushak Niti under which we will procure paddy at MSP Rs 31,00 per quintal," Nadda added.
Speaking about the manifesto, National Vice President Baijayant Panda, said, ”This is Modiji’s guarantee. It is a matter of happiness for me as Paradip-Dhamra-Cuttack economic corridor was announced and it will create a scope of employment for lakhs of people. Kendrapara will be its hub. Under Subhadra Yojana, women will be given Rs 50,000 vouchers.”
“Besides, 65,000 youths will be given government jobs initially. Moreover, farmers will avail of Rs 3,100 as MSP per quintal of their paddy. Importantly, an investigation into the alleged mess-up with the Ratna Bhandar will be conducted; its key will be traced and an inventory of the treasures will be published. We have so many promises in the Sankalp Patra,” Panda said.
Speaking on the occasion, Odisha BJP President Manhona Samal said that the BJP is going to form the government on its own strength in Odisha first time 75 years after Independence. The manifesto touches every section of society and this will change the government.
Samal said, “Our manifesto will bring about a complete change of Odisha. We have promised to buy paddy at Rs 3,100 from farmers per quintal. The income of the farmers will be doubled. Rs 50,000 will be given to women under Subhadra Yojana."
National Vice President Baijayant Panda, state BJP President Manmohan Samal, party veterans like Aparajita Sarangi, Samir Mohanty, Jual Oram, Sambit Patra, Prithviraj Harichandan and Sudarshan Nayak were present at the event.
The BJP had collected feedback from about 1 crore people of Odisha in the forms of opinions, views and suggestions on the basis of which Sankalp Patra has been drafted.