Pledging to end policy paralysis, corruption and "tax terrorism" and bar FDI in multi-brand retail, the BJP on Monday (April 7) stuck to its core agenda of Ram Temple construction, Uniform Civil Code and abrogation of Article 370 that gives special status to Jammu and Kashmir. Unveiling a roadmap for the economic revival through good governance, the party said in its 42-page manifesto that its government will strategically develop high-impact domains like labour-intensive manufacturing and tourism. Delayed by a week apparently over differences on inclusion of Hindutva issues, the manifesto was released on the opening day of 9-phased Lok Sabha elections. The function at the party headquarters was attended by a galaxy of leaders including L K Advani, Narendra Modi, Rajnath Singh, Sushma Swaraj and Murli Manohar Joshi, who chaired the committee that prepared the document. Modi did not take any questions at the function. He was specifically asked for his comments about his close confidante Amit Shah's controversial "revenge" remark but he just parried. Joshi intervened to say that this question did not pertain to the manifesto. The manifesto said the country has suffered a "decade of maladministration and scams" besides "decision and policy paralysis" under UPA and this situation will be changed and the engine of government will be ignited again with strong will power and commitment to public interest.

Under the chapter "Reform the System", it promised Good Governance, which will be transparent, effective, involving and encouraging and include reforms of administration, judiciary, police and election. "We will establish a system which will eliminate the scope of corruption through public awareness, technology enabled e-governance, system based policy-driven governance, rationalisation and simplification of the tax regime and simplification of the process and procedures at all levels," the manifesto said. Accusing the UPA government of unleashing 'tax terrorism and uncertainty' and engendering 10 years of jobless growth, it promised to provide a non-adversarial, conducive tax environment, rationalise and simplify the tax regime, overhaul the dispute resolution mechanisms. There was speculation that with his stress on development in his current campaign, Modi was averse to touching the Hindutva issues. However, as a compromise the pet themes of the 'sangh parivar' were included. Significantly, Ram Temple issue figured under the heading 'Cultural Heritage'.

In a debate moderated by TIMES NOW's Editor-in-Chief Arnab Goswami, panelists -- Sitaram Yechury, Politburo Member & MP, Rajya Sabha, CPI(M); Deepak Amin, Spokesperson, Congress; Vani Tripathi Tikoo, National Secretary, BJP; Madhukar Jaitley, Advisor to Govt of UP in Externally Aided Projects Dept and Shahid Siddiqui, Chief Editor, Nai Duniya -- discuss whether, BJP's delay in release of its manifesto will affect its election performance?