BJP promises strict anti-conversion law, skill census in Maharashtra

The manifesto promises to increase the monthly grant under the Mukhyamantri Majhi Ladki Bahin Scheme to Rs 2,100 per month, 25 lakh jobs for youth in the next five years, an increase in monthly pension for old persons from Rs 1,500 to Rs 2,100 and loan waiver for farmers.

After launching the manifesto, Mr Shah took a dig at Shiv Sena(UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray for siding with the Congress party, asking whether Mr Thackeray could ask Congress leader Rahul Gandhi to speak a few good words about Hindutva ideologue Veer Savarkar. He also questioned if any Congress leader can speak in honour of Balasaheb Thackeray.

After releasing the party's manifesto, Mr. Shah said the ruling Mahayuti in Maharashtra will retain power with a full majority and a decision on who will be the chief minister will be taken by the alliance partners after the elections.

Maharashtra deputy chief minister Devendra Fadnavis, Union minister Piyush Goyal, state BJP president Chandrashekhar Bawankule and BJP manifesto committee chairman Sudhir Mungantiwar were present for the manifesto release.

The BJP has also promised to release "Vision Maharashtra 2029" within the first 100 days after the formation of the Mahayuti government.

“A strict law will be enacted against forced and fraudulent conversions, ensuring protection from conversions,” the party said in its manifesto.

Speaking on the anti-conversion law, Mr Shah said that the BJP will form its internal committee in connection with a draft of the anti-conversion law. “The Mahayuti will form the next government in Maharashtra. After forming the Mahayuti government, the state government will constitute its own committee and will hold a discussion with all stakeholders. They will come up with stringent laws so that religious conversion should not take place,” he said.

Taking a swipe at Mr Thackeray, Mr Shah sarcastically said,. “It is his right to choose his allies. But I want to remind him where he is sitting. He is with those who had opposed the revocation of Article 370 and the construction of the Ram temple. He is sitting with those who have insulted Veer Savarakar,” he said.

The senior BJP leader also raised a question on the NCP founder Sharad Pawar’s contribution to the development of Maharashtra when he was the Union agriculture minister in the UPA government for 10 years. “He (Mr Pawar) should inform about his contribution to the people,” he said.

Criticising Mr Gandhi, Mr Shah alleged that he insulted B.R. Ambedkar’s Constitution by carrying a book tilted Constitution, which had all blank pages.

Further accusing the Congress of appeasement politics, Mr Shah claimed that Maharashtra Congress president Nana Patole has accepted the demands of Ulemas to give reservations to the Muslim community. The Indian Constitution does not allow reservations on the basis of religion, he added.

In response to a query over the chief minister’s post, Mr Shah said that Eknath Shinde is leading the Mahayuti government in Maharashtra. “Mr Shinde is our chief minister. After the election, three parties will sit together and decide the next chief minister,” he said.