Modi manifesto 2014 to repeat 'housing for all' slogan

GANDHINAGAR: In pursuit of his ambition to be prime minister, Gujarat chief minister Narendra Modi is likely to repeat, at the national level, the promise of cheap housing that he had made before the assembly elections last year. In fact, he hinted at a public meeting recently that the BJP would launch a 'housing for all' scheme across the country if it comes to power at the centre after the upcoming Lok Sabha elections.

A Modi aide who had played a key role in preparing the BJP manifesto for the 2012 Gujarat assembly elections and is also involved in drafting of the party's manifesto for the parliamentary polls, said the successful ideas and schemes of the state government will be included in the party's 2014 manifesto.

"This is so because the 'Gujarat model' of development is the main pitch of the BJP's national election campaign. After the 2012 assembly elections, Gujarat BJP had launched Mukhymantrishri Grih Samrudhhi Yojana with a focus on the 'neo-middle class' and other schemes which yielded good dividends. Hence, the party's manifesto for the Lok Sabha polls will also focus on the neo-middle class and affordable housing in big way," he said.

The Modi aide further said that several incentives given to women buyers in Gujarat - such as 1% concession for registration of properties - are likely to be included in the BJP manifesto for 2014 elections. "A number of rural development projects successfully implemented in Gujarat are also likely to figure in the new manifesto. Modi wants every successful scheme of Gujarat to be included in the manifesto for the Lok Sabha polls,'' the aide said.

It may be recalled that BJP had successfully neutralized the appeal of the 'Ghar nu Ghar' scheme announced by the Congress before the 2012 assembly polls, by promising to build 50 lakh affordable houses if returned to power.

The Mukhymantishri Grih Samrudhhi Yojana that was implemented in the state after the 2012 polls has been a big success. Hence, Modi's team has decided to replicate the idea nationally as a house of one's own is every individual's dream. The Gujarat chief minister is also working on a plan to replicate some schemes for the 'neo-middle class', a term he had coined before the 2012 assembly elections.