HVK Archives: United Front hijacks BJP Manifesto
United Front hijacks BJP Manifesto - Indian Express
Posted By ashok (ashokvc@giasbm01.vsnl.net.in)
Tue, 11 Jun 96 17:15:37 PDT
The following is a comparison between the UF's common
minimum porgramme and the BJP's manifesto.
UF HIJACKS BJP AGENDA
If UF is emulating BJP on almost all counts of their
programme, what for was the cry Anything but BJP given?
If they are going to do everything that BJP promised,
then they are bearing BJP Torch.
Compared to BJP hefty Agenda, the common programme
(minimum?) is indeed a short one. But it will not take a
minute's scanning to realise that it is a condensed
paraphrase of BJP agenda with at the most 10 per cent
variation. Following comparison is based on CMP (Common
Minimum Programme) of UF with parallels from BJP's agen-
da.
1. GROWTH WITH SOCIAL JUSTICE:
This inevitably entails the share of funds or pro-
duce to all the stratas of society to ensure which, the
Govt has to have its own machinery. This means also that
the practice of cesses and subsidies will continue.
** BJP has already recognised its need and have men-
tioned clearly that the State will continue to have a
role to play to ensure redistributive equity and justice.
2. CMP intends to allow foreign investments in core and
infrastructure sectors.
** BJP has elucidated this point clearly and said that
they will invite foreign capital in the field of core &
infrastructure sectors requiring high technology and for
R&D as well.
3. CMP - Economic Federalism
** BJP affirms that they will stand for decentralized
economic order which is a more accurate approach for
down-delegation of economic power to villages.
4. CMP - Accepting Sarkaria Commission report on State
- Centre relation in favour of more autonomy for the
States. For points of contention, High Level Committee
to be appointed to update the Commission's report.
** BJP stands for implementation of all important rec-
ommendations of Sarkaria Commission. This is a shining
example of either emulation or hijacking.
5. CMP - To amend Article 356 of the Constitution to
reflect the Supreme Court's judgment to prevent misuse.
** BJP has declared its intention to prevent misuse of
Article 356 of the Constitution in the future and make it
mandatory for the Government to have backing of 2/3 ma-
jority of Parliament to dissolve any State Legislature.
6. CMP - Implementation of 73rd and 74th amendments
for devolution of economic power to Panchayati Raj level.
** BJP - Goes one step further and intends to make
changes in the 73rd and 74th amendments to make the Pan-
chayats economically self-sufficient.
7. CMP - 1/3rd seats to be reserved for women in State
Legislature and Parliament. Striving to ensure gender
equality. Laws to be reviewed to remove discrimination
against women.
** BJP - Reserve 33% seats in all elected bodies in-
cluding State Assemblies and Parliament to make women
real participants. Equal legal and economic rights. In-
troduce a Uniform Civil Code which will give women
property rights, right of adoption, equal guardianship
rights, eliminate discriminatory clauses in divorce laws
and end polygamy. BJP has extremely wider spectrum of
reforms in favour of women (about 29).
8. CMP - Reservations to Dalit Christians/SC/STs to
accommodate recommendations of National Action Forum af-
ter careful study.
** BJP - Has a more pragmatic and mature approach.
Will continue the present reservations for SCs/STs till
equality is attained, basis of assistance being economi-
cally backwardness.
9. CMP - For STs, high level commission to enquire
about position/problems/aspirations and to implement Bhu-
ria Committee's recommendations.
** BJP - Permanent Council to implement a Common Wel-
fare programme for STs.
10. CMP - Will urge State Governments to make legisla-
tion for conferring ownership rights to STs for the for-
est product and will extend financial assistance to State
Governments to undertake this job.
** BJP - Will amend existing forest policy to restore
to the Vanavasis their rightful share of forest wealth
and produce as well as provide viable market facilities.
11. CMP - Ayodhya dispute would be referred to the SC
under Art.138(2) which will be binding to all parties
concerned.
** BJP - Will construct Ayodhya temple.
12. CMP - Not to alter Personal Codes of various commu-
nities until and unless consensus emerges within the com-
munities themselves.
** BJP - Will legislate Uniform Civil Code.
13. CMP - Will protect Articles 25/26/27/28 of Constitu-
tion dealing with freedom of religion, to enlarge the 18
point programme for the minorities.
** BJP - Will ensure equality for all and discrimina-
tion against none grounds of religion and education by
amending Article 30. Disband Minority Commission and
entrust its job to NATIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION
-
which has much broader scope.
14. CMP - To implement Prasar Bharati Act in the light
of recent verdict of the SC with suitable review/amend-
ment.
** BJP - Free All India Radio and Doordarshan from Gov-
ernment Control and implement the Prasar Bharati.
15. CMP - Free and compulsory education : 6% of GDP will
be earmarked for education.
** BJP - Same objective but with more comprehensive and
detailed planning.
16. CMP - Eradication of child labour
** BJP - Same.
17. CMP - Indian Penal Code provisions would be reviewed
to protect Human rights . State Governments would be
required to appoint Human Rights Commission.
** BJP - NHRC will be strengthened with additional r
resources and better infrastructural support.
18. CMP - Agriculture to be accorded industry status.
** BJP _ Same with more detailed planning.
19. CMP - Review Anti-poverty Programme, give employment
within 100 days under Panchayati Raj Schemes.
** BJP - To restructure Public Distribution System and
allocate more resources for work for work progress.
20. CMP - Disinvestment Commission to advise Government
on Public Sector.
** BJP - Same. Most of the points in this regard are
also
identical in UFs.
21. CMP - Bulk and new investments both domestic and
foreign will be channelised in the infrastructural sec-
tor.
** BJP - Laying the foundation of a strong bond market
in the country which can take care of the massive finan-
cial requirements. Will invite foreign capital in the
field of infrastructure.
22. CMP - The rights of the Trade Unions will be re-
spected and recognition of trade Unions by to secret bal-
lots.
** BJP - Same as above.
23. CMP - Subsidies to poor and needy.
** BJP - Same as above.
24. CMP - Curbing fiscal deficit and continue tax re-
forms.
** BJP - Same as above.
25. CMP - Special cards to be issued to families below
the poverty line and essential articles under the PDS
will be sold to them at half the normal price.
** BJP - Low cost PDS. Assured timely and adequate
supply of food-grains, make pulses, cooking oil, soap
available through PDS in addition to sugar, kerosene to
encourage consumer movement.
26. CMP - Drinking water, primary health care, housing
for all.
** BJP - Education and health for all. BJP mentions
much more about health/housing/education.
27. CMP - To promote research, adequate funds for re-
search and strengthen the national laboratories.
** BJP - Same but with much more.
28. CMP - To present a bill for Lokpal Office in first
budget session. All members of elected representatives
will be required by law to declare their assets annually
before Lokpal - including Prime Minister.
** BJP - As above, public representatives will declare
his assets within 90 days of election - which would be
mandatory - much more to eliminate corruption.
29. CMP - A bill for judicial reforms in 6 months to
expedite pending cases and eliminate delays.
** BJP - Emphasizes specifically expanding and
strengthening of existing legal aid facilities for eco-
nomically weaker section and society. Forming of a Na-
tional Judicial Commission to control all important ap-
pointments of SC/HC and provisions for expeditious trials
of cases.
30. CMP - Bill for electoral reforms reflecting the con-
sensus already arrived.
** BJP - Update and adopt Goswami Committee report.
31. CMP - To disclose all facts and information of Vohra
Committee.
** BJP - Legislate tough deterrent laws against terror-
ists and disruption activities.
32. CMP - To grant further autonomy to J&K.
** BJP - To abolish Art.370 and grant Statutory Board
for Ladakh and Jammu.
33. CMP - To solve problems of foreigners under Assam
accord.
** BJP - To develop North-East Area on integrated ba-
sis.
34. CMP - To adhere non-alignment, good neighbourly re-
lations through SAARC/SAPTA, good relations with U.S.A.,
Russia, China, to keep nuclear option open to strike for
permanent seat in UN Security Council.
** BJP - To maintain good neighbourly relations, to
exercise nuclear option and induct nuclear arms, to
create more arms, good relations with China, USA,Russia,
to fight against nuclear apartheid, to strive for perma-
nent seat in UN Security Council.
35. CMP - To protect environment, a massive programme
for afforestation and wasteland development will be
launched through local self-government institutions to
inculcate education regarding significance of environment
among citizens.
** BJP - To frame National Environment Council to
achieve above.
*****
Back
Top
|
