Jammu and Kashmir Elections 2024: BJP, Congress, National Conference, PDP manifestos compared

Assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir will be held for the first time since 2014. (File Photo: PTI)

The Bharatiya Janata Party on Friday launched released its manifesto for the upcoming Jammu and Kashmir Assembly elections and promised to make the Union territory among the most developed and prosperous states in the country. The National Conference did so on August 19, the People’s Democratic Party on August 24 and the Congress, on September 16.

While the BJP's manifesto focusses on infrastructure development, reservations and restoration of Hindu temples, the NC and PDP have stressed on restoration of statehood, revocation of certain laws and initiating dialogue with Pakistan to resolve the Kashmir issue.

The Congress, on the other hand, has relied on its focus on youth, farmers and women in its promises. The party, which is contesting the elections in an alliance with the National Conference, has, however, skipped mention of reinstating Article 370, a key promise of the NC.

BJP manifesto: Key promises

Basic Facilities: A new policy will be formulated to resolve issues with the pending water and electricity bills. Tap water will be ensured in every house under the Jal Jeevan Mission. The BJP also promises to provide a subsidy of Rs 10,000 for setting up of solar power equipment and provision for free electricity to households under the central solar power scheme.

Restoration of temples: Hindu temples and religious places will be reconstructed under the Rishi Kashyap Teerth Punaruddhar scheme, restoration of 100 temples and development of the Shankaracharya temple, Raghunath temple and Martand Surya temple.

Land and Housing: 5 Marlas of land to the landless under the Atal Awas Yojana and an increase of pension for the elderly, widows and handicapped from Rs 1,000 to Rs 3,000.

Youth: The BJP manifesto promises to create 5 lakh new jobs for the youth and a transparent and timely recruitment process. Youth preparing for competitive exams will also be provided an assistance of Rs 10,000 as coaching fee.

Education: A travel allowance of Rs 3,000 through DBT to college students under the Pragati Shiksha Yojana. Tablets and laptops to higher secondary students located in the hinterland. Around 1,000 new medical seats will be created in the existing and upcoming medical colleges.

Rehabilitation of Kashmiri Pandits: The BJP also promised to launch a new scheme for the safe return and rehabilitation of Kashmiri Pandits, refugees from West Pakistan and people of the Valmiki and Gorkha communities.

Economy: A new policy will be set up for resolving the issues of the existing 7,000 MSMEs. Setting up of an IT hub as an SEZ in Jammu, a pharmaceutical park in Udhampur and AYUSH herbal park in Kishtwar also feature on the BJP’s list of promises.

Farmers: The BJP promised to provide Rs 10,000 as the Kisan Samman Nidhi to farmers and reducing the power tariff for agricultural activities by half are also among its key promises.

Women: The BJP also promised to provide Rs 18,000 to the most elderly woman of the household, two free cylinders to Ujjwala Yojana beneficiaries and assistance to the UT government in bank loan interests to women self help groups.

Infrastructure: Quick completion of the under-construction tunnels and construction of 10,000 km rural roads besides initiating Metro services in Jammu and Srinagar.

Healthcare: The BJP will also provide Rs 2 lakh in addition to the coverage of Rs 5 lakh under the Ayushman Bharat Sehat Yojana.

Security: The BJP manifesto promises to release a white paper on terrorism besides eradicating terrorism and separatism from Kashmir completely.

Reservation: The manifesto also promises to ensure reservations for SCs and STs in promotion in government jobs besides a new transfer policy for employees from the community in the Kashmir Valley.

Tourism: The BJP’s manifesto promises to make significant contributions towards tourism in the UT. A new amusement park will be opened in Srinagar while Gulmarg and Pahalgam will be developed on the lines of modern tourist cities. The Tavi riverfront will be developed along the lines of the Sabarmati riverfront.

Congress manifesto: Key Promises

The Congress party released its manifesto for the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly Elections on Monday, September 16. Titled 'Haath Badlega Halaat', the document promises a slew of promises for women, youth and farmers.

The party said it will form a minority commission in Jammu and Kashmir within 100 days of coming to power. It also promised insurance for all crops against natural calamities and a minimum support price (MSP) of Rs 72 per kilogram for apples.

The party has also assured an additional financial support of Rs 4,000 for landless, tenants, and land-owning farming households per year. The party has also said it will arrange 99-year leases to landless farmers cultivating state land.

Among other promises, the party has also promised to set up a Rs 2,500-crore fund for all district-level irrigation projects to ensure 100 per cent irrigation for farmers in Jammu and Kashmir.

For the youth of Jammu and Kashmir, the party promised an unemployment allowance of up to Rs 3,500 per month for one year to qualified youths.

The party has also promised to issue a job calendar within 30 days of coming to power and fill one lakh vacant government posts.

Notably, the party skipped any mention of reinstating special status to Jammu and Kashmir, a key promise in the manifesto of its alliance partner, the National Conference.

National Conference Manifesto: Key Promises

The J&K National Conference’s (JKNC) manifesto released on August 19 pledged to push for India-Pakistan dialogue on Kashmir, introduce laws to protect jobs and land, seek the release of political prisoners, and review the cases of employees terminated over the past five years. It also promised a number of freebies, including gas, electricity, healthcare, and food.

Statehood: The NC promises to pursue the restoration of statehood for Jammu and Kashmir if the Centre refuses to honour its word to the Supreme Court.

India-Pak dialogue: Pledging to “encourage dialogue between India and Pakistan” over the Kashmir issue, the manifesto promised to seek the release of all political prisoners, especially youth, and work towards the restoration of normalcy.

Repealing PSA: The manifesto also seeks to rework the J&K Reorganisation Act 2019, which defines laws pertaining to domicile, land, and jobs. The party also promised the repeal of the Public Safety Act (PSA), a law that deals with preventive detention and has been used against several political leaders to keep them out of circulation. It also called for the dignified return and rehabilitation of Kashmiri Pandits.

Simplifying processes: The NC also promised to streamline and simplify police verification for jobs and passports, which has left many without passports. “We will ensure fair treatment and job security for government employees,” the manifesto said. It also promised to restore the old pension scheme for over 4.5 lakh employees.

Freebies: The NC announced 12 free gas cylinders, 200 units of free electricity, free education up to university, and one lakh jobs in its manifesto. A revamp of the public distribution system to increase the rice quota, and make sugar and kerosene available at depots also featured in the document. A medical trust to provide free insurance coverage of Rs 5 lakh per year for terminal diseases like cancer, heart disease, and kidney transplants also features in its promises.

Economy: The NC manifesto seeks to protect agriculture by seeking restrictions on the import of apples. This will involve an increase in the minimum assessment value of imported apples and a minimum support price for apples for domestic farmers, it said.

Urban Revival: The manifesto mentions alternative transportation, satellite townships, regularisation of colonies, a gondola system to connect Takht-i-Sulaiman (Shankaracharya Hill) with Koh-e Maran (Hari Parbat Fort), river transport, and addressing issues plaguing the Smart City projects.

Industrial Initiatives: Industrial parks and special economic zones and encourage the responsible mining of lithium, sapphire and marble are also listed in the manifesto. Payment of royalties for previously mined resources will also be pursued in accordance with a recent Supreme Court order, it added.

People’s Democratic Party Manifesto: Key Promises

The party’s manifesto for the upcoming elections is aimed at restoring the region’s special status, fostering diplomatic dialogues with Pakistan, and addressing the humanitarian crisis involving Kashmiri Pandits.

Restoring Statehood: The PDP manifesto promises to push for the restoration of Jammu and Kashmir’s statehood, which was turned to a Union Territory following the 2019 revocation of Article 370.

Dialogue with Pakistan: Underlining the importance of diplomatic engagement between India and Pakistan, PDP advocates for conflict resolution, confidence-building measures, and regional cooperation to address the Kashmir issue

Kashmiri Pandits: The dignified return of Kashmiri Pandits also features on the PDP's list of promises and pledges to work with all stakeholders to ensure their safe and honourable reintegration into Kashmiri society.

Revoking PSA, UAPA, and AFSPA: The manifesto promises to strive for the revocation of  the Public Safety Act (PSA), Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), Enemy Property Act, and the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA).

LoC Free Trade: The PDP’s manifesto also includes a vision for establishing full connectivity across the Line of Control (LoC) to enhance trade and social exchange. The party proposes the creation of a regional free-trade area and a shared economic market to foster economic growth in the region.

Reinstating Old Pension Scheme: The PDP has promised to regularise 60,000 daily wagers, reinstate the Old Pension Scheme (OPS), and introduce free legal aid for prisoners in its manifesto.

Press Freedom: The PDP manifesto also promises to prioritise press freedom restore the autonomy and dignity of the press club, and address the issue of selective curtailment of advertisements to newspapers.