The BJP will release its manifesto for Lok Sabha elections 2019 tomorrow. (File)
Four days before the seven-phase national elections begin, the BJP showcased its campaign slogan Phir Ek Baar Modi Sarkar, (Modi government, once again), amping up the adrenalin at the party headquarters. The manifesto is expected to follow tomorrow and the party has kept the poor and the middle class at the heart of its campaign, said Union Minister Arun Jaitley.
Since the February 14 terror attack in Pulwama, the rallies of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other BJP leaders have consistently kept the focus on national security.
Last week, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had told a gathering in Bihar that he needs another term to fulfil his promises. "I don't claim to have finished all the work. When they (Congress) cannot say so in 70 years, how can I make that claim in just five years?" said the Prime Minister, who, ahead of the 2014 elections, had sought 60 months to equal Congress achievements of 60 years.
Mr Jaitley, who attended today's programme at the BJP headquarters, said the campaign would be a culmination of the government's performance and will have multiple themes.
"The first theme of the campaign will be 'Kaam Karne Wali Sarkar'. Also, we formed a government in 2014 - an era of corruption, and ran an honest government. This is why the second theme is Imaandar Sarkaar. The third theme of the campaign will be Bade Faisle Lene Waali Sarkaar, since this government has taken the tough decisions which include development and national security," the Minister said.
Taking a dig at the Congress, which released its manifesto last week, with NYAY, the Rs 72,000 basic minimum income scheme as its centrepiece, Mr Jaitley said the party has completely left out the middle class. Some advisers of the Congress have spoken of levying more taxes on this class, he said, adding the NDA government has consistently reduced their taxes.
Arun Jaitley announced the BJP campaign slogan at the party headquarters in New Delhi today. (PTI photo)
The minimum income support scheme, Mr Jaitley further said, was part of the Congress manifesto in 2004 and 2009. But they were unable to meet the promise despite being in power for a decade.
The BJP leader also took a shot at the opposition alliance of regional parties saying "people have to decide between a government led by one captain or a team of 11 players with 40 captains".
Earlier today, the Congress party too launched its campaign for the Lok Sabha elections with a song and a slogan -- ''Ab Hoga Nyay''. The Congress campaign will be built around the concept of ''nyay'' (justice), senior Congress leader Anand Sharma said.
"People talk on the non-performance, non-deliverance of the BJP government for the last five years. Betrayal, false promises and justice has been denied to the poor," he said.