Tripura Polls: BJP manifesto promises rubber units, rise in farmers' assistance, more autonomy for tribals

JP Nadda, President of BJP. File photo.

The Bharatiya Janata Party on Thursday promised greater autonomy for tribal areas, an increase in farmers' monetary assistance and industry-specific manufacturing zones based on rubber if it returns to power for the second time in a row in Tripura.

Releasing the party's manifesto for the February 16 assembly election in the state, BJP president JP Nadda also announced a Rs 5 meal scheme for all, named after religious guru Anukul Chandra, and setting up a Regional Institute of Medical Sciences hospital in Agartala.

"We will take Tripura on the path of DTH - development, transformation and harmony," Nadda said at a press conference here.

The manifesto said that Balika Samridddhi bond of Rs 50,000 will be given to every girl child while the tribal language Kokborok will become subjects in CBSE and ICSE curricula.

Also read: Tripura polls: TMC promises 'Bengal model of development' in manifesto

"We will set up industry-specific manufacturing zones based on rubber, Agar and bamboo. The PM Kisan Samman Nidhi of Rs 6,000 will be raised with the state government providing Rs 2,000 more," Nadda said.

If voted back to power, the BJP will give greater autonomy including more legislative, executive and financial powers for tribal areas, he said.

Meanwhile, the Trinamool Congress released its manifesto for the Tripura assembly elections on Sunday, promising 2 lakh new jobs, Rs 1,000 annual stipend for school students in classes 4 to 8 and the same amount per month for unemployed youths, and social welfare schemes on the lines of those in West Bengal.

The TMC is fighting 28 assembly seats in the February 16 election. Addressing a press conference, West Bengal education minister Bratya Basu said that if the party is voted to power in the state, it will create 2 lakh jobs in five years with 50,000 new jobs in the first year itself.

(With inputs from PTI)