Date=2/3/98
Type=correspondent report
Number=2-226250
Title=india b-j-p (l-o)
Byline=douglas bakshian
Dateline=new delhi
Content=
Voiced at:
Intro: india's hindu nationalist party says it is committed to a protectionist economy and favors development of nuclear weapons. New delhi correspondent douglas bakshian reports the party has released its manifesto less than two-weeks ahead of the february 15th national elections. Text: the bharatiya janata party, b-j-p, manifesto says attempts to open the economy to foreign business have further impoverished the majority of indians. The manifesto criticizes what it calls an un-even playing field for indian industry. Economic reforms that opened india up to imported goods were launched during the early 1990's . the b-j-p has long said domestic industries must be protected from foreign competition because they will collapse, creating massive unemployment. The manifesto says domestic industries need at least seven-years of protection. But, it says foreign investment is welcome to help india develop its infrastructure -- meaning items such as roads and the power system. The manifesto also calls on india to return to the ideals of swadeshi -- or self-reliance that drove the independence movement. On the nuclear issue, the manifesto repeats the b-j-p's pledge to develop nuclear weapons. The document says the b-j-p will re-evaluate the country's nuclear policy and, in its words, exercise the option to induct nuclear weapons. Another key appeal of the b-j-p is political stability. Three weak governments have collapsed in the past two years. B-j-p president l-k advani says the party offers an end to this cycle. /// advani act /// In the coming election the choice is between stability and another mid-term election soon. The choice is between an able prime minister and prime ministerial pretenders. The choice is between a government that will change the life of every indian for better. Or one that will make a bad condition still worse. /// end act /// With national elections less than two-weeks away, opinion polls show the b-j-p is expected to win the largest bloc of seats in parliament, though it may fall slightly short of a majority. The b-j-p was also the biggest winner in the 1996 elections, but other major parties allied against it because of what they viewed as its extremist religious policies. Another key item in the manifesto is the b-j-p's commitment to building a hindu temple in the city of ayodhya, where a 16th-century muslim mosque was torn down in 1992. The b-j-p led a national campaign that brought about the destruction of the mosque. The incident triggered some of india's worst communal violence in years. Since then, the b-j-p has tried to present itself as a more secular party, and has sought the support of muslim voters. (Signed)
Neb/rae
03-feb-98 7:32 am est (1232 utc)
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