07 Apr 2014
The BJP has finally delivered its manifesto.
It is a 52-page document (also available on slideshare as a 20-slide presentation).
It is important to understand the composition of the manifesto drafting committee as the document will primarily reflect their ability to articulate one. The drafting committee was headed by Dr Murli Manohar Joshi and had the following people on it:
The drafting committee is obviously not representative of the demographic (majority of the members are over 65 years of age) and may therefore tend to have ideas that are either not in tune with the times or rooted in a swadeshi socialist era. But lets analyze the manifesto with a more optimistic frame of mind.
First, a quick look through the presentation on slideshare.
The pledge appears to be a 16-point shopping list that would be appropriate for any national party, and is nothing more than a few homilies. It is surprising that it finds its way into the final version of the document in such a raw form:
The following graphic appears to be somebody's attempt to articulate how the party will build a modern India (if read bottom-up). Alternatively (if read top-down) it may just be a statement that a modern India would be build by us - our culture, our hands, our aspirations! A bit confusing, but that is the problem with any graphic not accompanied by a more detailed narrative. One is left to guess the intent of the author.
The next graphic is a spotlight on the key failures of the UPA-2 government, and key actions needed to recover from these failures:
[More details...]
Highlights by Theme
The BJP has finally delivered its manifesto.
It is a 52-page document (also available on slideshare as a 20-slide presentation).
It is important to understand the composition of the manifesto drafting committee as the document will primarily reflect their ability to articulate one. The drafting committee was headed by Dr Murli Manohar Joshi and had the following people on it:
- Dr Murli Manohar Joshi, 80y - CHAIRMAN
- Jaswant Singh, 76y
- Yashwant Sinha, 76y
- Prem Kumar Dhumal, 69y
- Sushil Kumar Modi, 62y
- Jual Oram, 53y
- Vijay Kumar Malhotra, 82y
- Prof Lakshmikanta Chawla, 66y
- Satpal Malik, ?y
- Bandaru Dattatreya, 67y
- Bijoya Chakravarty, 75y
- Dr Satyanarayan Jatiya, 69y
- Shawnawaz Hussain, 45y
- Kanchan Gupta,
- Shanmukhanathan
The drafting committee is obviously not representative of the demographic (majority of the members are over 65 years of age) and may therefore tend to have ideas that are either not in tune with the times or rooted in a swadeshi socialist era. But lets analyze the manifesto with a more optimistic frame of mind.
First, a quick look through the presentation on slideshare.
The pledge appears to be a 16-point shopping list that would be appropriate for any national party, and is nothing more than a few homilies. It is surprising that it finds its way into the final version of the document in such a raw form:
- Ek Bharat - Shrestha Bharat
- Vibrant and participatory democracy
- Empowered and inspired people
- Inclusive and sustainable development
- Quality of life in villages and cities
- Basic amenities to all
- Flourishing agriculture
- Productive youth
- Involved women
- Robust physical and social infrastructure
- Innovative and technologically driven society
- Globally competitive economy
- Brand India built on quality
- Strong, effective and futuristic institutions
- Open, transparent and systems-based government
- Proactive pro-people good governance
The following graphic appears to be somebody's attempt to articulate how the party will build a modern India (if read bottom-up). Alternatively (if read top-down) it may just be a statement that a modern India would be build by us - our culture, our hands, our aspirations! A bit confusing, but that is the problem with any graphic not accompanied by a more detailed narrative. One is left to guess the intent of the author.
Note: The meaning is articulated in the full manifesto as: To build a Modern India: the best foundation is our own culture; the best tool our own hands; and the best material our own aspirations
The next graphic is a spotlight on the key failures of the UPA-2 government, and key actions needed to recover from these failures:
- Price rise - inflation, interest rates, hoarding, price stabilization, farmer empowerment, agricultural market development, crop variety and output management
- Employment and entrepreneurship - labour intensive sectors like agriculture, retail, infrastructure, real estate, skill development, entrepreneurship, career facilitation
- Decision and policy paralysis - improved governance, commitment, focus on public interest, bureaucracy reforms
- Poor delivery - emphasis on planning, execution, scale, speed, institutionalization
- Credibility crisis - restore trust and credibility in government, responsibility and accountability
- Corruption - governance, enabling technologies, simplification and rationalization of rules, review of laws
The choice of graphic utilized (pie chart under a lens) was a bit misguided as it appeared to give equal emphasis to each aspect!
The guiding principles have been articulated by way of 5 slogans:
The full document articulates the BJP vision in five themes (as described earlier):
(click on photo to enlarge)
- Attend the imminent - This theme addresses the six key issues that have been plaguing the people, the economy and India's credibility on the world stage right through the UPA-2 term.
- Strengthen the framework - This theme addresses key issues in centre-state relations, national integration, governance and representation of people.
- Reform the system - This theme address the key outstanding reforms that almost all previous governments have paid lip service to and failed to address. These include governance, service level guarantees and institutional reforms - administrative, judicial, police and electoral.
- Widen the platform - This theme addresses the issues facing economically and socially isolated sections of the population, minorities, emerging middle classes and the rural-urban divide.
- Leap forward - This theme dwells on numerous aspects of the polity where the BJP intends to focus its attention and deliver its key development plank "Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas".
The Highlights
- Rebalancing centre-state relations; increased state participation in programs/policy formulation
- Movement from representative to participatory democracy
- Decentralization and empowerment of Panchayati Raj institutions
- Thrust on technology, e-governance
- Institutional reform - administrative, judicial, police, electoral
- Urban renewal
- Women's safety, security and empowerment
- Educational reform, skill development, online resources
- Healthcare reforms, healthcare infrastructure, traditional medicine, hygiene and sanitation
- Rationalization and simplification of tax regime
- Agricultural reform and renewal
- Industrial investment reform, regional hubs, focus on MSME
- Invest in an incentivize manufacturing R&D
- Theme based tourism circuits, capacity and skill development
- Labour reform - organized and unorganized sectors
- Freight and industrial corridors, world-class ports
- Thrust on public infrastructure - gas grids, optic fibre network, public wi-fi, satellite
- Interlinking river basins
- Diversify energy sources, thrust on renewables
- Thrust on science and technology for common benefit
- Holistic development approach to ecological zones and other environmental issues
- Renewed emphasis on national security
- Private sector participation, FDI in defence industries sector
- Increase in regional/global engagement, participation in international fora
The Touchy Issues
- Review of Article 370
- Madrassa modernization
- Uniform Civil Code
Conclusion
While there is a pressing need for some rules regarding the structure and articulation of manifestos to enable them to evolve into long term strategy documents - not only to allow comparative assessments, but also to simply make them easier to read and digest - the BJP has managed to consolidate most of what its leaders have been promising on public platforms for the past several months. Its emphasis on development for all comes as a refreshing whiff of fresh air in an arena long poisoned by wasteful, competitive populism and the pseudo-secular politics of caste, creed and religion, all in the name of affirmative action, protection of minority rights and empowerment. The fact that the manifesto has the clear stamp of Narendra Modi all over it is a good sign.
That said, the manifesto lacks the weight of a executable blueprint or roadmap. It is a compilation of statements of intent, a wish list at best and a perspective on what needs to be done, in no particular sequence and with absolute disregard to the realm of feasibility within a single term of government. It does not pick up and analyze cues from India's strategic environment from an objectives, options or risks perspective. It lack hard data and statistics to base critical intent, it does not specify priorities or weightages even at the level of broad themes, it does not discuss, develop or reject existing policy alternatives or articulate reasons for doing or not doing something. It does not dwell on the sources of funding needed to make the manifesto a reality in five years while keeping price indices, inflation and other parameters of economic health and well being in check.
Ask yourself the question, what is the manifesto worth in terms of funding requirements over the term?
10 lakh crores? 15 lakh crores? 100 lakh crores? Surely, with all the experience and data at hand, these can be estimated to a reasonable degree of accuracy. Or alternatively, one can project GDP and budget estimates for the last five years to give a reasonable estimate. If total receipts (revenue+capital) are Rs Two lakh crores a fiscal and you have a target for the deficit, you can surely derive a trajectory for the first year and project it outward for the next five. Should the national parties with access to all the information they need not do this fundamental exercise PRIOR to an election?
The BJP also has a number of all too visible and glaring rifts in its top leadership. Its been an ongoing concern, and but for the arrival of Narendra Modi on the national stage, would have made the BJP just another party in the fray, which in turn could well have generated the motivation required to propel the 3rd front into reality. However, coming back to point, these leadership issues in the BJP will be thrown into sharp relief on May 16, once the results of the poll are established. A public squabble at that point in time will dissipate the euphoria, vitiate the atmospherics, send grand expectations including market sentiments plunging, and set the stage yet again, for their demise. The party will do well keep their squabbles internal and present a single face and a single consistent voice to the nation - that of Narendra Modi. That is, at least, for the time being.
BJP's performance as the primary opposition party in the NDA alliance over the past 10 years has been less than inspirational. Why? Well, for one, is the function of the opposition just to "oppose", no matter the cost of such opposition? Was there no opportunity for bipartisanship? Surely the period in opposition could have been used more constructively not only in advancing matters of strategic, national or public interest, but also to develop a solid manifesto, supported by hard facts and figures, a draft budget for the first year, a long term roadmap and a blueprint for action? Given the "deplorable fecklessness and venality" [The Economist, Apr 05, 2014] of our politicians, is our experiments with democracy becoming too heavy a cost to bear for a developing nation?
And what about the age of our politicians? As seen, the manifesto drafting committee of the BJP itself has a majority of people over the age of 65 years. Experience counts, but surely, will not the parliament or public interest be better served if these elders retire from active politics while continuing to provide guidance and serve as a moral compass for future generations? For the manner in which all the seniors went about seeking "safe seats", one could easily forgive the child who asks, rather petulantly, "Daddy, is the parliament a retirement community?"
Ask yourself the question, what is the manifesto worth in terms of funding requirements over the term?
10 lakh crores? 15 lakh crores? 100 lakh crores? Surely, with all the experience and data at hand, these can be estimated to a reasonable degree of accuracy. Or alternatively, one can project GDP and budget estimates for the last five years to give a reasonable estimate. If total receipts (revenue+capital) are Rs Two lakh crores a fiscal and you have a target for the deficit, you can surely derive a trajectory for the first year and project it outward for the next five. Should the national parties with access to all the information they need not do this fundamental exercise PRIOR to an election?
The BJP also has a number of all too visible and glaring rifts in its top leadership. Its been an ongoing concern, and but for the arrival of Narendra Modi on the national stage, would have made the BJP just another party in the fray, which in turn could well have generated the motivation required to propel the 3rd front into reality. However, coming back to point, these leadership issues in the BJP will be thrown into sharp relief on May 16, once the results of the poll are established. A public squabble at that point in time will dissipate the euphoria, vitiate the atmospherics, send grand expectations including market sentiments plunging, and set the stage yet again, for their demise. The party will do well keep their squabbles internal and present a single face and a single consistent voice to the nation - that of Narendra Modi. That is, at least, for the time being.
BJP's performance as the primary opposition party in the NDA alliance over the past 10 years has been less than inspirational. Why? Well, for one, is the function of the opposition just to "oppose", no matter the cost of such opposition? Was there no opportunity for bipartisanship? Surely the period in opposition could have been used more constructively not only in advancing matters of strategic, national or public interest, but also to develop a solid manifesto, supported by hard facts and figures, a draft budget for the first year, a long term roadmap and a blueprint for action? Given the "deplorable fecklessness and venality" [The Economist, Apr 05, 2014] of our politicians, is our experiments with democracy becoming too heavy a cost to bear for a developing nation?
And what about the age of our politicians? As seen, the manifesto drafting committee of the BJP itself has a majority of people over the age of 65 years. Experience counts, but surely, will not the parliament or public interest be better served if these elders retire from active politics while continuing to provide guidance and serve as a moral compass for future generations? For the manner in which all the seniors went about seeking "safe seats", one could easily forgive the child who asks, rather petulantly, "Daddy, is the parliament a retirement community?"
Bottomline, the manifesto is but just a document of intent. Implementation is and always will remain the weak link. Modi has the experience of leading a state for three terms. Some of that experience will most definitely provide pointers on how to navigate the treacherous waters of New Delhi politics. But the question of how Modi will navigate the shoals of continuing internal party pressures, pressure from future coalition partners and other multitudinous interests while being in the baleful spotlight of global scrutiny must surely weigh heavy in the minds of all his well wishers. And of course, we will still have to wait and watch how these manifesto declarations of intent translate into actions over the next five years. Nevertheless, a splendid attempt well begun, though not quite half done. We expect more, Mr Modi, much, much more!
[More details...]
Highlights by Theme
The main themes of the manifesto appear to be as under:
- Strengthen the framework - "India First"
- Centre-state relationships
- Decentralization and participatory democracy
- Integrating the nation; specific programs for Eastern India, North East, Jammu & Kashmir, Seemandhra and Telangana
- Reform the system - "Policy Driven, People Centric"
- Open government and accountable administration
- EGovernance
- Institutional Reform - Administrative, Judicial, Police and Electoral
- Widen the platform - "Empowerment, Infrastructure, Job Creation"
- Bridge the rich-poor gap - Food security, social justice and empowerment, tribal development, equal opportunities for minorities, address aspirations of the neo middle class
- High priority for rural areas
- Special focus on urban development and high growth centres
- Leap Forward - "Development"
- Social security - RTE, food security, child and adolescent labour
- Senior citizens - financial support, citizen volunteers
- Specially-abled - rights, disability registration, tax relief
- Youth programs
- Promotion of sports
- Women - reservation, empowerment, entrepreneurship
- Education - Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan, universalization of SSE, national elibrary, restructure UGC, earn and learn, MOOC, courses for self-employment and entrepreneurship, skill mapping and development
- Health services - Health assurance mission, medical education, emergency medical services, sanitation and hygiene rating system
- Economic revival - fiscal discipline, MNREGA to be linked to asset creation, reduction of NPAs, regulatory framework for non-banking sector, tax reform, FDI for job and asset creation (except in Retail), FIPB efficiencies
- Agriculture reforms - soil testing labs, food processing clusters, organic farming, farm insurance, cluster-based storage, seed culture labs, regional agricultural education TV channels, land use policy review
- Industry- power and infrastructure, single-window clearances, manufacturing investment hubs, review and revival of MSME, access to credit and technology
- Manufacturing - investment capital, interest rate, power, labour reform, trade facilitation
- Handicraft - market development, access to credit, skill programs, value addition
- Services - world class ports, export promotion, CAD reduction, IPRs and Patent, review and simplification of legal, statutory and regulatory regime
- Tourism - development of tourism circuits around key themes - archaeological & heritage, cultural and spiritual, Himalayan, desert, coastal, medical
- Physical infrastructure - freight and industrial corridors, NE and J&K package, village roads, port-led development, Sagar Mala project
- Next Gen Infrastructure - gas grids, fibre optic network, public wi-fi, integrated transport, waterways, logistics network, railway connectivity, rail tourism, diamond quadrilateral project and bullet trains
- Labour - industrial family, ID cards to unorganized sector, banking, labour law review, pension and health insurance reform
- Housing - "pacca house" to every family by 2022 (75th year), low cost housing
- Water - "har khet ko pani", interlinking river basins, piped water to all households
- Energy - new energy policy, diversify energy sources (oil, gas, hydel, ocean, wind, coal, nuclear), small-hydro, solar mission
- Science and technology - IPR regime, technology transfer, big data and analytics, technology for rural development
- Environment - carbon footprint, green buildings, Himalayas
- Natural resources - policy review, auctions
- Security - military, economic, cyber, energy, food, water, health, social cohesion and harmony, Maoist insurgency action plan, maritime authority, cross border terror, defence universities, private sector participation and FDI in defence industries, review nuclear doctrine, maintain credible minimum deterrent
- Foreign relations - strengthen regional forums, engage international fora
- Cultural heritage - Ram Mandir, Ganga action plan, protect cows, cattle development, digitization of archives, promote languages for a knowledge society, uniform civil code
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