KOLKATA: BJP will introduce a Uniform Civil Code (UCC) in Bengal within six months of being voted to office, Union home minister Amit Shah said on Friday.He also said a BJP govt would provide a monthly assistance of Rs 3,000 to women and unemployed youth and a one-time grant of Rs 9,000 to farmers. Women will have 33% govt jobs reserved for them.“The gaps we see in Bengal must be bridged first. It is not possible to lift people out of poverty without assistance. It is not correct to describe these (welfare measures) as freebies. In not a single state where BJP is in office has it stopped any pro-poor scheme implemented by the previous govt,” Shah said after releasing ‘Sankalp Patra’, the saffron party’s manifesto for the Bengal assembly polls, to be held on April 23 and April 29.Shah, who was speaking at a Kolkata hotel, made it clear that the civil laws would be standardised “without interfering with food habits and religious practices”. The manifesto proposes to replace diverse personal laws with a UCC, to ensure “equal treatment of all religions” under the Constitution, within six months of the party assuming office.The home minister argued that having different laws for different citizens — he specifically cited marriage rules — is a form of “appeasement politics” that BJP wants to end. “The Constitution is based on equal rights for people of different religions. UCC was recommended by the constituent assembly. It will end appeasement,” he said.BJP netas later pointed out that the UCC would be a key reform to advance women’s rights, particularly in regards to inheritance, maintenance and marriage.In a state with a substantial Muslim population, the UCC pitch would help BJP consolidate Hindu votes across caste lines, party functionaries said.In an attempt to woo female voters, considered to be part of Trinamool’s core vote bank, Sankalp Patra talks of a direct benefit transfer of Rs 3,000 to women and Rs 50,000 to girls for college enrolment. It promises Rs 21,000 for pregnant women from marginalised families and free travel on govt buses for them. Besides, 33% of govt jobs will be reserved for women and Durga Suraksha Squads will be set up in urban areas for their security.The manifesto proposes strict laws against “love jihad” and “land jihad”. BJP had earlier focused on infiltrators allegedly seizing land in Bengal.Tapping into discontent over unemployment, recruitment scam and a lack of industrial growth, the manifesto announces Rs 3,000 in monthly support for unemployed youth and a grant of Rs 15,000 to prepare for competitive exams. It has set a target of generating 1 crore jobs over the next five years.Presenting a 15-point roadmap for Bengal’s transition from “despair to development”, the manifesto promises seaports in Tajpur and Kulpi, a national highway connecting the Sundarbans to Darjeeling, completion of all stalled Metro Railway and six railway projects and operationalisation of airports in Purulia, Malda and Balurghat. It also proposes large, medium and small industrial units in Singur.The manifesto reiterates BJP’s pledge to implement the 7th Pay Commission award for govt employees and immediate payment of DA arrears.Shah said a BJP govt would implement a “detect-delete-deport” strategy to stop infiltration and seal the Bengal-Bangladesh border. Land will be given to BSF to erect a fence along the border within 45 days of the party coming to office, he said.The manifesto pledges to end illegal mining of coal, soil and sand; end “mafia raj”; and dismantle the “cut money” culture and syndicate system. “Those accused in cases of corruption will be put behind bars, and a special commission will investigate all cases of political violence in the state,” Shah said. BJP, he said, will issue three white papers on corruption, post-poll violence and law and order.
