File photo: (L-R) Rajnath Singh, Narendra Modi, Nitin Gadkari, Arun Jaitley.
The BJP's plans to release its manifesto on Monday may run into legal trouble with the Election Commission, which feels that disclosing the party's national agenda once voting has begun could be a violation of basic guidelines. Sources in the commission said that if a complaint is filed against the party, it will have to intervene. (
BJP to share manifesto on Monday, the day voting begins)
The mammoth nine-phase national election starts on April 7 and concludes on May 12, with counting on May 16.
The BJP, expected to win the most seats, has yet to release its manifesto. Making the programme public on Monday could be legally problematic because campaigning is not allowed for 48 hours before voting ends. Since voting begins in the North East on Monday, campaigning has to end at 5 pm on Saturday. However, Election Commission sources say that if that 48-hour rule were strictly followed, TV channels would not be able to cover or interview politicians for the same period.
Some political observers have attributed the delay to internal differences within the party, which is being led by prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi. (
BJP's manifesto or Modi-festo? Last minute changes behind delay, say sources)
Opinion polls say Mr Modi, the 64-year-old chief minister of Gujarat is the frontrunner for the country's top job. He is running on his credentials as a hands-on leader and economic reformer. (
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The delayed manifesto has provoked criticism from opponents.
"A party and leader which claims great administrative and managerial competence is unable to release its manifesto in time," Priyanka Chaturvedi, spokeswoman for the ruling Congress party, tweeted on Thursday.
"Why is BJP unable to produce even a manifesto on time?" she added.