TNI Bureau: Just 10 days before the first phase of Gujarat’s elections, Chief Minister Narendra Modi today released BJP’s manifesto focusing on growth in agriculture, increasing employment, improving health facilities and cheap housing for the poor.

Leader of the opposition in Rajya Sabha Arun Jaitley and state BJP leaders Purshottam Rupala and RC Faldu were present during the release of their party manifesto in the form of a ‘commitment letter’.

Countering the  Congress campaign of ‘Ghar nu Ghar’, which promises 27 lakh homes to the urban poor, the BJP manifesto says if the party is re-elected, the Modi government will provide cheap housing to 50 lakh urban and rural families.

The party has promised greater job opportunities for more than 30 lakh youths of the state if voted back to power.

To impress youth mass the manifesto declares to initiate youth-led skill development movement through Skill Development University. In addition, CM Scholarship Yojana will be implemented.

In a bid to placate the farmers, the BJP manifesto says that government will pay the interest component of the loans taken by farmers.

Other poll promises include power and drinking water to reach every village, eligibility for government jobs to be raised to 30 years and stamp duty relaxation.

Also countering Congress’s poll promise of health insurance to Gujaratis, the CM said, each of the six crore Gujarati will be provided life insurance. “We will set up new super specialty hospitals, provide safe drinking water, develop agro-infrastructure and provide jobs opportunities to women,” he added.

Releasing the manifesto, Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi said the document was a commitment and the state would touch new heights if the BJP was voted to power for the third consecutive year.

Gujarat will vote on Dec 13 and 17. The votes will be counted on Dec 20.