‘ST Status’ missing in BJP manifesto

BJP has released its manifesto for the Lok Sabha elections on Monday at an event in its HQ in New Delhi. The party assured measures for constitutional, economic, social, and cultural safeguards for indigenous people of the State. But the party was seen taking U-TURN on its promises.

There is a proposal by the Centre to grant ST status to six communities (Koch Rajbongshi, Chutia, Moran, Matak, Tai Ahom and Tea Tribes) in Assam, which is expected to boost their support in the state. But the ST status issue was missing from the whole announcement exercise.

While the Citizenship Bill has triggered fears of the state's indigenous people losing identity against the 'foreigners' to be given citizenship, the centre tactfully proposed ST status to the six indigenous communities of Assam.

Congress party questioned the BJP-led government on its earlier promises made in the manifesto for the 2014 elections. "You promised two crore jobs every year, which translates to 10 crore jobs in five years. In reality, during these five years, number of jobs have actually reduced by 4.7 crore.