On March 30, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) took a significant step in preparing for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections by forming its election manifesto committee. This committee, chaired by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, is tasked with the crucial responsibility of formulating the party’s manifesto for the upcoming elections.
The committee comprises 27 members, with Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman assuming the role of convenor, and Union Minister Piyush Goyal serving as the co-convener.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi had previously announced that the manifesto preparation would be an inclusive process, incorporating suggestions from both online platforms and offline interactions with voters, as reported by the media.
Several prominent figures within the BJP have been appointed to this committee, reflecting a diverse range of experiences and perspectives. Notable members include Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, Chhattisgarh CM Vishnu Deo Sai, and Madhya Pradesh CM Mohan Yadav.
Additionally, Union ministers Dharmendra Pradhan, Arjun Munda, Bhupender Yadav, Arjun Ram Meghwal, Ashwini Vaishnav, Smriti Irani, Kiren Rijiju, and Rajeev Chandrashekhar have been enlisted.
The committee also features seasoned BJP leaders such as Shivraj Singh Chouhan, Vasundhara Raje, Ravi Shankar Prasad, Sushil Modi, and general secretary Vinod Tawde.
Notably, among the new members is Anil K Antony from Kerala, who is also a candidate fielded by the party from the state.
Adding to the diversity of the committee, Tariq Mansoor from Uttar Pradesh has been appointed as the sole Muslim member. This move underscores the party’s commitment to inclusivity and representation.
The timing of the formation of this committee is significant, as it comes ahead of the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, scheduled to be held in seven phases from April 19 to June 1. The results of these elections will be announced on June 4, with the vote count determining the direction of India’s political landscape.
