On May 1, the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) released its election manifesto for the upcoming assembly polls in Karnataka. The manifesto contained promises of various schemes and initiatives to be implemented if the BJP comes to power.

Uniform Civil Code and National Register of Citizens

As per the BJP’s election manifesto, if they come to power, they will implement the Uniform Civil Code and the National Register of Citizens in Karnataka. A high-level committee will be constituted to provide recommendations for the implementation of the UCC. Additionally, the BJP will introduce the NRC in Karnataka and ensure the speedy deportation of illegal immigrants in the state.

Creation of special wing and provision of free cooking gas cylinders

The BJP also promised to create a special wing called ‘Karnataka State Wing against Religious Fundamentalism and Terror (K-SWIFT)’. Moreover, the party promised to provide three free cooking gas cylinders to all Below Poverty Line (BPL) families, one each during the months of ‘Yugadi’, ‘Ganesh Chaturthi’, and ‘Deepavali’.

Affordable and healthy food

The BJP plans to set up an ‘Atal Aahara Kendra’ in every ward of every municipal corporation in the state to provide affordable, quality, and healthy food across the state. Additionally, the party promised to launch the ‘Poshane’ scheme, under which every BPL household will be provided with half a litre of ‘Nandini‘ milk every day and five kg of ‘Shri Anna – siri dhanya’ through monthly ration kits.

Housing and welfare schemes

The BJP’s manifesto promises a ‘Sarvarigu Suru Yojane,’ under which the Revenue Department will identify and distribute ten lakh housing sites across the state to the homeless beneficiaries. The party also plans to launch a scheme called ‘Onake Obavva Samajika Nyaya Nidhi’ through which it will provide a matching deposit of up to Rs 10,000 on five-year fixed deposits made under the scheme for women of SC/ST households.

Six ‘A’ for development

According to BJP National President J P Nadda, the party’s manifesto is centred around six ‘A’s, which are Anna (food security), Akshara (quality education), Arogya (affordable health), Aadaya (assured income), Abhaya (social security), and Abhivruddhi (Development).

Modernization and development schemes

Under the proposed Visvesvaraya Vidya Yojane, the BJP promises to partner with eminent individuals and institutions for the holistic upgradation of government schools to a top-class standard. The party also promises a ‘Samanvaya Yojane’ for collaboration between small and medium enterprises and Industrial Training Institutes to generate a dynamic ecosystem of education and employment for talented young professionals.

Healthcare Initiatives and Tourism

In the Aarogya category, the BJP has promised to launch ‘Mission Swasthya Karnataka’ by establishing one ‘Namma Clinic’ (our clinic) in each ward of the municipal corporations. They will be equipped with diagnostic facilities. Additionally, the party will provide a free annual master health check-up for senior citizens. The BJP has also promised to allocate Rs 1,500 crore to develop Kalyana Circuit, Banavasi Circuit, Parashurama Circuit, Kaveri Circuit, and Ganagapura Corridor to transform Karnataka into India’s most favoured tourist destination.

Production Linked Incentive Schemes

Finally, the BJP will broaden the scope of Production Linked Incentive Schemes, which will generate ten lakh jobs eventually in Karnataka.

The BJP has announced the launch of the Yuva-Karunadu – Digital 4.0 initiative, which includes the establishment of Karnataka’s first Global Innovation Hub inspired by the Tel Aviv model. As part of this, a startup incubator and accelerator will provide seed capital of ₹50 lahks each to 250 select youth every year, along with an enabling policy environment.

Under the YuvaGuru-Digital 4.0 scheme, private incubators and accelerators in Bengaluru will be supported in establishing state-of-the-art incubation centres through a one-time capital grant of a maximum of 50% or ₹1 crore (whichever is less) for Fixed Cost Investment (excluding land & building), along with providing incubator setups.

To optimize water usage, reduce waste, and improve the sustainability of the existing water systems, the BJP plans to establish Smart Water for Bengaluru. Advanced technologies such as sensors, real-time data analytics, and automated control systems will be used to monitor and manage the city’s water supply.

The ‘Virtual Vidya’ scheme, a pilot program to revolutionize learning through cutting-edge technology, will be launched by setting up a ‘Virtual Reality Lab’ in every upper primary government school that will create an immersive, realistic, and memorable learning experience.