The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has released its 25-point manifesto for the upcoming Jammu Kashmir Legislative Assembly elections, outlining an ambitious plan aimed at fostering development, generating employment, and enhancing social welfare across the region.
The manifesto, of which a copy is available with The Kashmiriyat, seeks to eliminate terrorism and separatism, promises to make Jammu Kashmir a leader in national progress under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of a “new India.”
One of the central themes of the manifesto is employment generation, with the BJP pledging to create 5 lakh new jobs through the Pandit Prem Nath Dogra Rozgar Yojana (PPNDRY).
The initiative aims to open up new opportunities for the youth of Jammu and Kashmir, further backed by policies to promote fair recruitment and transparent hiring processes for positions such as the Jammu and Kashmir Public Service Commission (JKPSC) and Union Public Service Commission (UPSC).
To help students aspiring to enter these competitive fields, the manifesto promises to reimburse coaching fees up to ₹10,000 for two years, cover travel costs for examinations, and ensure that interviews are conducted in a timely manner.
The BJP has also outlined various free benefits designed to improve the financial security of the region’s population, especially for women. Under the ‘Maa Samman Yojana,’ the senior-most woman in every household will receive ₹18,000 per year, and Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY) beneficiaries will be provided with two free LPG cylinders annually.
The manifesto promises to distribute laptops or tablets to students in remote areas to bridge the digital divide. Additionally, the BJP has pledged to triple the old-age, widow, and disability pensions from ₹1,000 to ₹3,000 to ensure a dignified life for vulnerable groups.
Infrastructure development forms a significant part of the BJP’s vision for Jammu Kashmir. The party has committed to building 10,000 km of rural roads to ensure connectivity in the most remote areas.
Key projects such as the Sadhna Pass Tunnel and the Katra-Banihal Railway Tunnel are set to be completed under the ‘Har Tunnel Tez Pahal’ Yojana. To enhance urban mobility, the BJP has promised to fast-track metro services in Jammu and Srinagar.
In addition, the manifesto includes plans to develop tourism infrastructure by modernizing Dal Lake into a world-class destination, promoting water sports, and constructing an amusement park in Srinagar’s Tattoo Ground. Tourist hubs like Gulmarg and Pahalgam will be upgraded, and a pharmaceutical park is planned for Udhampur, along with an AYUSH Herbal Park in Kishtwar.
The BJP also has plans to provide relief to the agricultural sector, with promises to lower electricity tariffs for farmers by up to 50% and provide a subsidy of ₹10,000 for the installation of solar equipment.
Farmers in the region will benefit from an increase in financial aid under the PM Kisan Samman Nidhi, with an additional ₹4,000 on top of the existing ₹6,000.
For public utilities and services, the BJP promises relief from outstanding electricity and water bills for all consumers. The manifesto guarantees clean drinking water for every household under the ‘Har Ghar Nal Se Jal’ initiative, and free electricity through the PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana.
In addition to its other promises, the BJP’s manifesto includes a significant focus on land allotment, particularly for the landless population in Jammu Kashmir. Under the Atal Awas Yojana, the party has committed to providing 5 Marlas of free land to landless beneficiaries, ensuring that even the most marginalized families have access to secure housing.
The BJP’s manifesto also outlines a significant cultural initiative with the Rishi Kashyapa Pilgrimage Rejuvenation Drive. This program aims to undertake the reconstruction of 100 Hindu temples and shrines across Jammu and Kashmir, with a focus on restoring and further developing key sites such as the Shankaracharya Temple (Jyeshteshwara Temple), Raghunath Temple, and Marthanda Sun Temple.
The manifesto also focuses on the rights and security of displaced and marginalized communities. It pledges to rehabilitate Kashmiri Pandits under the Tika Lal Taploo Visthapit Samaj Punarvas Yojana and expedite the rehabilitation of West Pakistan refugees, POJK refugees, and communities like the Valmikis and Gorkhas. Illegal settlements of Rohingya and Bangladeshi migrants will be addressed through a special drive.
In terms of education and healthcare, the BJP has committed to adding 1,000 new seats to government medical colleges and increasing the coverage of the Ayushman Bharat Sehat Scheme by an additional ₹2 lakh, extending the total coverage to ₹7 lakh per family. The BJP also intends to build 10,000 new rural roads and complete infrastructure projects aimed at improving regional connectivity.
Finally, the party has reaffirmed its commitment to addressing terrorism in Jammu Kashmir, promising justice for the victims through fast-track cases, accountability measures, and the restoration of law and order across the region. The manifesto highlights the BJP’s broader plan to ensure that the region becomes a model for development, social harmony, and economic growth, all while securing the rights and aspirations of its diverse population.
As Jammu and Kashmir prepares for its first assembly elections since the revocation of Article 370 in 2019, the BJP’s manifesto offers a roadmap for the region’s future, balancing infrastructure development, social welfare, and the need for peace and stability.