BJP election manifesto fails its allies in Tamil Nadu

Tirunelveli: The BJP's election manifesto may create uneasiness to its allies, the AIADMK and the DMDK in the field as whatever is considered anti-Tamil and anti-secularism have been reiterated by the BJP in its manifesto released on Monday.

In the name of protecting cultural heritage, the BJP has reiterated its commitment to explore all the possibilities of building the Ram temple in Ayodhya and it will make the AIADMK-supporting Muslims distance themselves from it, according to Annadurai, an AIADMK functionary in Mukkudal near Ambasamudram. The AIADMK functionary further added that this promise of the BJP in its manifesto would further worsen the situation for AIADMK that subscribes to secularism.

Further, another promise of the BJP that if given another chance at the Centre it would ensure teaching of Sanskrit at school level throughout the nation too is feared to help the DMK-led Secular progressive democratic alliance in Tamil Nadu to win the hearts of the Tamil electorates to their side," said a DMDK Tirunelveli district office Pleading anonymity, he added that BJP was least bothered about  even signaling that it would positively consider the promises of its allies over exempting Tamil Nadu from Neet exam and to bring education from the concurrent list to the state list as assured by the AIADMK in its manifesto released three weeks ago.

Another promise of the BJP in its manifesto that it will draft a uniform civil code is in total contrast with the AIADMK's promise in its manifesto that it would urge the centre not to bring anyamendments to the Constitution for a uniform civil code that would adversely affect the religious rights of the minorities in India.

Further, the BJP manifesto speaks of creating a separate ministry for better water management, but has no word relating to the existing water sharing disputes between the states especially between Karnataka and Tamil Nadu and Kerala and Tamil Nadu.

The manifesto has also not spoken about farm loan waiver or educational loan waiver, about which the NDA allies in Tamil Nadu are making tall promises in their campaign. The BJP's alliance partners here see this as a letdown.

T Kamaraj, state vice-president of the OBC wing of Congress, reacting to the BJP manifesto commented that it was not a surprising, as BJP has been focusing only on North India and not cared least about the sentiments of people in the South.

Keep yourself updated on Lok Sabha Elections 2019 with our round-the-clock coverage -- breaking news, updates, analyses etc all. Happy reading.