BJP to release its manifesto for Karnataka polls on May 1

The BJP is likely to release its manifesto for the upcoming Karnataka polls on Monday, ANI reported citing sources.

BJP National President JP Nadda, Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai and BS Yediyurappa will be unveiling the manifesto, the report said.

Sources have told the news agency that the BJP's manifesto may focus on welfare measures for the youth, infrastructure development and women empowerment. In addition to it, the saffron party, to woo the first-time voters, might make special announcements for the youth and girl students who have passed class 12.

It may be recalled that the BJP had tried to woo all sections of society in its 2018 manifesto while also including cow protection measures.

Karnataka will vote on May 10 for 224 assembly seats. This time, a total of 2,613 candidates are in the poll fray out of which 2,427 are male, 184 females and 2 others.

The BJP has fielded candidates in all 224 constituencies and Congress in 223 seats as it is supporting Sarvodaya Karnataka Party in Melukote, followed by AAP (209), JDS (207), BSP (113), CPI (M) (4), NPP (2). While 685 are from Registered Unrecognised Political Parties (RUPP), 918 are independents.

The result will be announced on May 13.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi attacked the Congress and Janata Dal (Secular), saying the two "dynastic" parties were responsible for political instability in Karnataka, and that they "encourage corruption".

"The Congress and the JD(S) are responsible for the instability. They pretend to be two separate parties but are one in their hearts. They are together in Delhi. They assist each other in Parliament," he said at a public meeting in Channapatna in Ramanagara district.

The Prime Minister accused the parties that both Congress and JDS are dynastic parties and encourage corruption. "For a very long time, Karnataka has seen the drama of unstable government. Unstable governments provide a chance to loot," he added.

"There is always a fight to loot and (the focus is) not development in the unstable government," he further said.