LUCKNOW: In its election manifesto, the Bharatiya Janata Party has accorded top priority to law and order and ending the criminal-politician nexus in Uttar Pradesh. Releasing the document here on Monday, BJP vice-president M. Venkaiah Naidu Naidu said "surya namaskar" and Vande Mataram would be made compulsory in all schools, and yoga education mandatory for students. Opposed to appeasement, the BJP would work for the welfare of all sections, he said.

Religious tourism

The Ram temple finds a cursory mention in the manifesto, which says the party will strive to remove the hurdles to its construction. A special package of Rs. 500 crore each would be provided to Ayodhya, Mathura, Kashi and Prayagraaj (Allahabad) for promotion of religious tourism.

A law on the lines of the Prevention of Terrorism Act would be framed. Forces patronising the Students Islamic Movement of India and Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence would be identified and dealt with.

Describing Chief Minister Mulayam Singh's unemployment dole scheme as a "trick," the BJP instead promised employment-oriented education for youth.

In a reference to suicide by farmers, the BJP said it would waive all loans due from the families of those who killed themselves in Bundelkhand and other regions, and give jobs to one member each. In a bid to remove backwardness, the Bundelkhand and Purvanchal development authorities would be constituted.

Quota for women

Women would be given 20 per cent reservation in government jobs and 50 per cent quota in local bodies elections. Girls who passed higher secondary and were living below the poverty line would be given cycles free.

On the health front, four postgraduate institutes of medical sciences would be established and by 2012 low-cost houses provided to the shelterless.

Among the other features of the manifesto are that the Chief Minister will be brought within the ambit of the Lok Ayukta; madrasas will be modernised and efforts made to mainstream madrasa education; and the Bhagirati irrigation programme will be launched.

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