Between the promoters of swadeshi and Narendra Modi’s pro-reforms vision, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)’s election manifesto has been delayed to the point of falling foul of the Election Commission (EC).
The BJP will be releasing its manifesto on April 7 when polling takes place for the first phase in five constituencies in Assam and one seat in Tripura. The party maintains that there is no violation of any rule.
“We have the right to adjust the announcement of our manifesto according to our convenience. There is no violation of any rule,” said BJP’s chief spokesperson Ravi Shankar Prasad. Although the EC said it can act “only if anyone complains,” sources in the commission said the BJP runs the risk of violating Section 126 of the Representation of the People’s Act.
Section 126 (1) (a) of the Act says that no person shall convene, hold or attend, join or address any public meeting or procession in connection with an election, while the sub-section (b) of the same Act adds that no person shall display to the public any election matter by means of cinematograph, television or any other similar apparatus in any polling area during the period of 48 hours ending with fixed conclusion of the polls for any election in the polling area.
Punishment Any person who contravenes the provision of sub-section (1) shall be punishable with imprisonment for a term which may extend to two years or with a fine or both.
While the BJP did not seem overly concerned, Prasad conceded that the announcement of the manifesto is inordinately delayed. All other political parties have come out with their respective manifestos, while the BJP has postponed the announcement at least once in the last couple of days.
“It may seem as if there is a delay. But because of the high expectations, we have held such wide consultations across the country that collating the responses has taken some time. But we are coming out with it (manifesto) on April 7,” said Ravi Shankar Prasad.
He said the estimated crowd response on the manifesto is about one lakh individuals. “Besides, there is a logistical problem. Unlike the Congress, the members of our manifesto committee, as well as all top leaders, are much in demand and are busy campaigning,” he said.
Although Prasad denied any “difference of opinion” on the manifesto, a contradiction between Narendra Modi’s views and the party’s official position has already emerged on the issue of FDI in multi-brand retail.
On February 28 at the Traders’ National Convention, Modi had told small traders that they have to accept the presence of large retail chains instead of “running away” from the challenges posed by them.
“There is no need to fear global challenges, try to convert the situation into an opportunity. Make the most of this situation. We are a powerful nation and have taken a lead in information technology. This is the age of online marketing, accept modern science and make use of it,” Modi had said.
However, in the manifesto shaped by a 15-member committee headed by pro-Swadeshi Murli Manohar Joshi, the BJP is expected to stick to its confirmed opposition to FDI in multi-brand retail.
“We are not anti-FDI per se. But we are opposed FDI in retail,” said a senior BJP leader.