BJP launches three-month swadeshi drive to boost local products

The campaign combines 20,000 events, fairs, and celebrity promotions, aiming to prioritise goods made in India and highlight the growth of sectors like khadi and mobiles under “Vocal for Local” and “Make in India.”

New Delhi: The BJP on Thursday launched a three-month nationwide campaign to promote the use of swadeshi products, highlighting that all goods made in India, whether by domestic or foreign companies, qualify as swadeshi. The campaign begins on Deen Dayal Upadhyay’s birth anniversary and concludes on Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s. BJP workers will reach out to households across the country as part of the drive.

Party general secretary Arun Singh, speaking at a press conference at the party headquarters, said the campaign will include 20,000 “Aatmanirbhar Bharat Sankalp Abhiyan” events, 1,000 fairs, and 500 “Sankalp Rath” events nationwide. Celebrities and social media influencers will also promote the initiative online.

“We are not boycotting any products but encouraging prioritising goods made in India, reflecting the hard work of our citizens. This approach fosters economic self-reliance and cultural pride, as Pandit Deendayal Upadhyay emphasised,” Singh said.

He added that campaign merchandise such as T-shirts, diaries, scarves, stands, and cups will be used to spread the message. “Shopkeepers will be urged to create Swadeshi corners in their stores, and local bodies will be encouraged to promote and use local products,” he noted.

Singh highlighted the impact of the Prime Minister’s “Vocal for Local” campaign, saying khadi sales have reached Rs 1.7 lakh crore, up from Rs 31,000 crore under the UPA. “Under the ‘Make in India’ initiative, the number of mobile factories has grown from two in 2014 to 300 today, with 99.2% of mobiles now Made in India. Mobile exports have risen from Rs 15,000 crore under UPA to Rs 2 lakh crore today, while toy imports have fallen by 52%,” he added.