|
The BJP promised to create jobs, boost infrastructure and
manufacturing and expand welfare programs such as low-ticket
subsidized loans to small businesses if it wins a third term.
"It could be a bit of a disappointment that the "big-bang"
structural (but contentious) reforms of land, labor,
agriculture, privatization, opening up to foreign investment etc
did not find any mention in the manifesto," Citi economists
Samiran Chakraborty and Babar Zaidi said, adding that these
could be announced at a later stage.
The general election starts on April 19 and will be held in
seven stages until June 1, with the results expected on June 4.
Modi is widely tipped to stay in power on the back of his
10-year record, which includes strong economic growth,
infrastructure projects, welfare handouts and aggressive Hindu
nationalism.
"At a broad level, the manifesto is more tilted towards
continuity than change," Citi said.
The manifesto includes a strong infrastructure push, including
building 28 kilometers per day (17.4 miles) of national
highways, three new high-speed bullet trains and expanding the
metro network.
"There is a definite aspiration in the manifesto towards making
India a power to reckon with in global manufacturing," the
economists said.
(Reporting by Ira Dugal; Editing by Savio D'Souza)
[© 2024 Thomson Reuters. All rights
reserved.]
Copyright 2022 Reuters. All rights reserved. This material may
not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Thompson Reuters is solely responsible for this content.
|
|
