During the 2014 and 2019 general elections, the Bhartiya Janata Party promised to make India a $5 trillion economy, return back black money, create 2 crore jobs annually, double farmers’ income, ensure women’s safety, and much more. However, closer examination reveals a clear disparity between what was promised and what is delivered. This thorough analysis critically examines the BJP’s Manifesto and determines if these promises have been fulfilled or were simply a trap/jumla.
Poor Implementation of Welfare Programs:
The Bhartiya Janata Party’s manifesto highlighted welfare initiatives to help the impoverished sections of society, but their implementation has been plagued by inefficiency and corruption. The promises made in social welfare schemes have largely remained unfulfilled, leaving the most marginalized sections of society disappointed. The BJP promised to improve healthcare infrastructure in their 2019 manifesto, but the health infrastructure remains underdeveloped, and it is worrying to see the BJP’s lack of accountability in fulfilling these critical social welfare promises, pushing the underdeveloped section backward. Schemes such as the Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana and the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan have failed to deliver significant results due to poor execution and a lack of accountability. In addition, the promise of providing housing for all through the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana has remained a distant dream for many due to slow progress and insufficient resource allocation.
The Illusion of Good Governance:
Transparency and accountability were significant promises made by the Bhartiya Janata Party; however, reality did not match this rhetoric, as corruption, favouritism, and a lack of transparency plagued the BJP-led administration. Clean and efficient governance appears to have fallen by the wayside, eroding public trust, as corruption remains a pressing issue, and several high-profile corruption cases have surfaced during the BJP’s tenure; additionally, the government’s refusal to investigate these scams has fuelled doubts and accusations. The controversial Rafale fighter jet deal also sparked outrage as claims of corruption and nepotism came to light, involving high-level BJP party figures. The promise of transparent and accountable administration has been broken, as the gap between the promise of transparency and the reality of corruption charges inside the party has fuelled public cynicism. There are several factors contributing to the BJP’s failure to fulfil their promises, including a lack of effective implementation and meticulous planning, which hampered progress in various sectors because simply announcing ambitious programs without proper execution strategies is akin to building castles in the air.
The Myth of Development: Failed Economic Policies:
In their manifesto, the Bhartiya Janata Party promised double-digit economic growth and the creation of 2 crore new jobs per year; however, the promised revival has yet to materialize, leaving many disappointed. The Indian economy has been struggling, with a significant drop in GDP growth and widespread unemployment. One of the BJP’s major promises was to provide economic development for all; however, the failed implementation of the Goods and Services Tax (GST) resulted in increased tax burdens for small businesses, resulting in a drop in economic growth. The promise to create 2 crore jobs per year also went unfulfilled, with the unemployment rate reaching an all-time high during the BJP’s tenure, and the e-commerce sector, once regarded as a potential job creator, suffered as a result of arbitrary policies. Another disappointment was the lack of advancement in the agricultural sector. The government’s failure to address farmer distress and provide adequate support demonstrated its inability to keep its promise of doubling farmers’ incomes.
Highest unemployment rate so far:
One of the Bhartiya Janata Party’s primary promises was to create jobs for Indian youth, but data shows a dismal failure in this regard as well. Instead of increasing job opportunities, India’s unemployment rate has risen as the BJP’s policies have failed to generate long-term employment, leaving millions of young people disillusioned and frustrated. The controversial implementation of demonetization exacerbated the job crisis, leaving small businesses struggling to survive and resulting in massive layoffs and closures. The BJP promised to create 2 crore jobs annually, but job losses and unemployment have risen since 2016. According to a report released by the Centre for Monitoring Indian Economy (CMIE), India’s unemployment rate rose to 10.09% in October 2023, the highest in the country’s history. The government’s efforts to boost job growth through initiatives such as Make in India and Skill India also have failed to produce significant results, causing citizens to be distressed and disappointed.
Struggling Agricultural Sector:
The Bhartiya Janata Party promised relief to India’s agricultural sector, however, they have also fallen victim to BJP false promises. Farmers, our country’s backbone, continue to struggle with mounting debts and distress, as the majority of agricultural policies implemented by the BJP have failed to address the root causes of the agrarian crisis. The BJP promised to double farmers’ incomes by 2022 and establish a strong support system; however, farmers continue to face numerous challenges, including low income, mounting debt, and insufficient access to credit and resources. The government’s policy decisions, such as the introduction of the controversial Farm Bills 2020, have exacerbated the situation for the agrarian community. The implementation of controversial farm laws in 2020 sparked widespread protests across the country, revealing farmers’ dissatisfaction. This was not enough; when farmers peacefully protested against these black laws, paid media outlets and BJP representatives labelled them as anti-nationalists. This disparity between promised support and perceived threats to farmers’ livelihoods highlights a failure to translate commitments into tangible benefits. It is sad to see how the BJP’s failure to keep its promises has impeded millions of farmers across the nation.
Social Divisions and Polarization:
In a diverse country like India, unity and inclusivity are essential for growth and progress; however, the BJP’s policies have increased social divisions and polarization. Hate crimes against minorities and marginalized communities have increased significantly in recent years as a direct result of the BJP’s divisive rhetoric. The Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), passed by the BJP government also sparked nationwide protests and caused further rifts in the country’s social fabric. Also, the government’s silence these critical issues like minority rights and freedom of expression heightened concerns and confirmed the party’s commitment to fostering polarization. The rise in hate crimes, targeting religious minorities, and the spread of extremist ideologies are clear signs of the BJP’s failure to uphold secular and inclusive values.
Failures in healthcare, demonetization, education and skill development, women’s safety and empowerment:
The BJP promised to establish 150,000 Health and Wellness Centers across the country, but progress has been slow, with only a fraction of the promised centers now operational, leaving the healthcare infrastructure inadequate and millions of Indians without access to quality healthcare services. The BJP’s bold move of demonetization was also hailed as an effort to combat black money and promote a cashless economy; however, the consequences of this decision were severe, with the common people suffering the most while the wealthy found ways around the system. The initial optimism of demonetization quickly faded, and the promised benefits became a distant dream as small businesses reliant on cash transactions were hard hit, resulting in massive closures and job losses. The BJP manifesto also promised to improve the quality of education and provide opportunities for skill development for youth. Despite these assurances, education continues to face numerous challenges, with significant gaps in access to quality education and skill development initiatives failing to reach a sizable portion of the population. The BJP also promised to address gender disparities and create a safe environment for women, but incidents of violence against women continue, and gender gaps still persist in various areas of society.
The Way Forward: India Deserves Better
The BJP’s dedication to good administration and combating corruption was a crucial selling point in the 2019 elections; yet, after winning the election, it has become a washing machine for the corrupt. The party’s attempts to change constitutional principles in parliament resulted in weak checks and balances. Institutions designed to uphold democratic principles, such as independent institutions, the election commission, the judiciary, and the media, are facing unprecedented challenges as their independence is threatened, eroding trust in the government’s ability to protect the democratic values we cherish.
India has enormous potential to become a global powerhouse, but the BJP’s broken promises, flawed policies, and divisive agendas have slowed its progress. The Bhartiya Janata Party has failed to deliver on key promises ranging from job creation to agrarian welfare and social welfare schemes, and the consequences of these broken promises are being felt by millions of citizens nationwide. It is time for change in the 2024 general election, and in order to move forward, India needs a government that prioritizes the well-being of all its citizens, works to bridge social divides, and implements effective policies for long-term economic growth. The people of India deserve a government like the Congress (INC) that prioritizes their well-being over political gain. We are the ones who have the power to shape our country’s destiny; let us not fall for empty promises again. Congress For India.
