Rajasthan: BJP's manifesto promises 50 lakh jobs

In its manifesto for upcoming polls in Rajasthan, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Tuesday promised that it will give 50 lakh jobs in the private sector in the next five years in Rajasthan and every year 30,000 jobs will be given in the government sector.

The manifesto 'Gaurav Sankalp 2018' for the Rajasthan assembly polls was unveiled by Union ministers Arun Jaitley, Prakash Javadekar and Rajasthan Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje in Jaipur on Tuesday.

Raje highlighted several points of the 2018 manifesto. She promised that 50 lakh jobs would be created in the private sector in the next five years in Rajasthan. In every year, 30,000 jobs will be given in the government sector. Moreover, the manifesto also promises to give Rs 5,000 per month as unemployment allowance to the eligible youth above the age of 21 years.

Prior to releasing the manifesto, Raje said the BJP government in Rajasthan met 95 per cent of the promises it had made in 2013. "We have fulfilled 630 points of the 665 promises made in the 2013 Rajasthan manifesto".

Taking a jibe at Congress, Raje said that the BJP was ahead of Congress, "Whether it was declaring the name of Chief Minister, ticket distribution or now the declaration of the manifesto, BJP has always been ahead of the Congress party". Raje said if BJP returns to power the party's focus would be on women's safety and the schemes that have been introduced in the past.

Finance Minister Arun Jaitley also lashed out at the Congress by calling them a party with decisive politics. Hailing the policies of centre and the state BJP, Jaitley said "Biggest factor that would influence the state assembly elections is the rural outreach that has taken place during the tenure of this government. Rural sanitation has increased from 39 per cent to 92 per cent since the time Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced the Swachh Bharat Mission,"

Manifesto bans use of 'Gorakh Dhanda' word

In its manifesto, BJP has banned the word Gorakh Dhanda', the word used to describe unethical practices. However, now it will be a punishable offence if the BJP is voted to power again in Rajasthan.

Gorakhnath was a Hindu yogi and saint who founded the Nath Hindu monastic movement in the country. In Rajasthan, Jodhpur is the main centre of the Nath community.

The word hurts sentiments of Saint Gorakhnath's followers, claimed Onkar Singh Lakhawat, a member of the manifesto committee

Onkar Singh Lakhawat, member of the manifesto committee explained the reason behind the ban. "Guru Gorakhnath was a saint and by using this word hurts sentiments of followers. We will ban it", he says.

In an attempt to woo Nath voters, saffron party's manifesto also promised to include the details of Gorakshnath or Goraknath in the textbooks of the Rajasthan State Board of Education. Moreover, a national memorial of Guru Gorakhnath will be made and a library of Gorakhnath's literature related with Yoga and Tantra will also be set up.

Manifesto a pile of redundant unfulfilled promises: Congress

Stating the manifesto as a pile of redundant promises and repetition of promises, Rajasthan Congress President Sachin Pilot told DH, "BJP is fooling people. Earlier they said people will get 15 lakh rupees credited in their accounts and now this Rs 5000 for youth is another lie. Fifty per cent of promises is old. Also, they are fooling people, if they are promising 15 lakh jobs and also saying 30 thousand per year, what about the remaining?