On March 31, in Thiruvananthapuram, the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) released its manifesto for the upcoming April 9 Kerala Assembly elections. The manifesto promised financial benefits for needy women and citizens over 70, two free LPG cylinders per year for low-income households, the establishment of an AIIMS in Kerala, and the protection of places of worship.
The manifesto, unveiled by BJP national president Nitin Nabin at an NDA event, also included promises of a high-speed railway network connecting the state capital with Kannur, 20,000 litres of free water for each household, and addressing concerns related to the Mullaperiyar dam, specifically ensuring the safety of Kerala while allowing Tamil Nadu to use the water.
Nabin stated that decades of consecutive LDF and UDF governments in Kerala had resulted in "negligible industrial growth, economic stagnation, and fiscal mismanagement in the state".
He alleged that the people had suffered due to the "manipulative tactics" employed by both coalitions, and therefore, a change was desired.
He pointed out that the party's vote share had increased from 2% to 20% in the past, indicating a shift in public sentiment.
Nabin further accused both the LDF and UDF of pursuing a policy of appeasement towards a specific community, which had negatively impacted the sentiments of other communities.
Nabin detailed that every woman from poor and Below Poverty Line (BPL) households would receive a Bhakshya Arogya Suraksha card, providing a monthly recharge of Rs 2,500, which they could use at pharmacies and grocery stores. Additionally, a welfare pension of Rs 3,000 per month would be provided to women heads of poor households, widows, and senior citizens over 70. Furthermore, two free LPG cylinders would be provided annually, one during Onam and one during Christmas.
The NDA also promised to address concerns regarding temple administration in the state, emphasizing transparency and greater involvement of devotees in managing shrines in Kerala. The manifesto stated that the Sabarimala, Guruvayoor, and other places of worship would be protected by revamping Devaswom Boards to increase devotee participation.
The NDA manifesto also promised to investigate the Sabarimala gold theft through a time-bound inquiry by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).
It also pledged to launch a "Sabarimala Infrastructure Development Mission" to undertake large-scale infrastructure development at the shrine.
Nabin also assured that a special commission would be constituted to examine temple audit reports over the past 30 years, inspect shrine assets, and take strict action against any misuse of power across Kerala.
Other promises in the manifesto include expanding the Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY to cover all Keralites, providing minimum support prices for crops, completing all phases of the Kochi Metro, and introducing new metro services in Thiruvananthapuram and Kozhikode.
The manifesto also promised to transform state-sponsored education to offer optional English medium over the next 5 years and install a 125-foot statue of Thunchaththu Ezhuthachan, the father of the Malayalam language, at Tirur.
Furthermore, the manifesto promised to launch an Employment Linked Incentive Scheme, offering a soft loan of Rs 1 lakh to every enterprise in Kerala for every job created for state residents.
Vizhinjam port will be developed into a major industrial complex, including the establishment of a ship repair and marine engineering cluster, an elevated double-rail line from Nemom yard to the seaport, and a dedicated industrial corridor.
The BJP-led NDA also plans to develop the corporations as unique economic engines through tailored economic policies.
Specifically, Thiruvananthapuram will be developed as the IT and Innovation capital, Kochi as the shipbuilding capital of India, Kozhikode as the healthcare and medical innovation hub, and Thrissur as the capital of Kerala's cultural tourism.
The remaining two corporations, Kollam and Kannur, will be developed as internationally competitive blue economy clusters, prioritizing marine exports and defense innovation hubs, respectively.
The NDA's plans for the state also include a comprehensive river rejuvenation program to restore water systems and ecological balance across Kerala.
Nabin further stated that a Climate Biodiversity Centre would be established in the Western Ghats under an Elephant Protection Mission, along with the setting up of three dedicated elephant hospitals to strengthen wildlife conservation.
The BJP chief presented a 10-year vision to dismantle decades of "political manipulation" and propel the state into a new era of industrial excellence and social security.