Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has released a manifesto containing 75 election promises -- just three days to go before India heads to the polls.
Speaking at the “Sankalp Patra” -- or Document of Resolution -- launch on Monday, Modi said: "Nationalism is our inspiration. Empowerment of the marginalized is our vision. Good governance is our mantra.
"We spent the last term fulfilling needs of common Indians. Now our goal is to fulfill aspirations of common Indians."
Here are the key pledges:
Doubling farmers' incomes
The BJP pledged to invest almost $360 billion to develop rural areas. In addition, the party said it would double the income of farmers by 2022. A pension will also be provided to small and marginal farmers over the age of 60.
Nation first
Along with a zero-tolerance approach to terrorism and strengthening the military, the BJP vowed the the controversial Citizenship Amendment Bill would be passed and implemented. The bill is aimed at helping Hindus and other minorities move to India from neighboring Muslim-majority countries. The BJP says it offers Indian citizenship to religious minorities fleeing persecution -- however opponents insist it is anti-Muslim.
The BJP also reiterated its commitment to annulling Article 35A, a constitutional provision that enables northern Jammu and Kashmir state to have its own constitution, flag and autonomy over all matters except foreign affairs, defense and communications. Only permanent residents also have the right to own property in the state. The BJP argues this is discriminatory against non-permanent residents.
India as the world’s third-largest economy
The BJP envisages the Indian economy will be worth $5 trillion by 2022 -- and $10 trillion by 2032. Along with boosting investment and trade, the BJP promised to lower tax rates and simplify the Goods and Services Tax process.
Other pledges included better access to healthcare and education, clean drinking water for all Indians and infrastructure development across a range of sectors.
Congress party responds
India’s main opposition Congress party responded to the launch of the BJP’s manifesto with a series of tweets highlighting what it described as the shortcomings of the Modi government’s promises.
Comparing the cover images of both party’s manifestos, Congress tweeted: “the people of our country are important for us. For Modi, it’s his own face. Our manifesto contains the views of tens of millions of people in the country whereas the BJP manifesto is about one person’s perspective.”
Rahul Gandhi, president of India’s main opposition Congress Party, dismissed the manifesto as "short sighted and arrogant" in a tweet.