The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) launched its manifesto for the Sikkim Assembly elections on Thursday in Gangtok. Titled ‘Modi ki Guarantee – Vikasit Bharat, Viksit Sikkim,’ the manifesto pledges to establish hotel management institutions, enhance state tourism, and set up the National Institute of Design for youth development and vocational training in Sikkim.

Taking a jab at Congress while releasing the manifesto, BJP president JP Nadda said, “The previous governments believed in isolation and ignorance. They wanted to keep the people isolated, ignore them and increase their vote bank politics. This was the style of functioning of the Congress party and other parties. But when PM Modi became the Prime Minister, he said, “Look East, Act East, Act Fast and Act First.”

Also Read:Lok Sabha Election 2024: Opinion poll predicts 342 seats for BJP, lowest-ever tally for Congress

“In collaboration with the Central Government, we will establish a world-class Indian Institute of Management here in Sikkim. Additionally, we’ll set up the National Institute of Design to foster youth development and vocational training in the region. Similarly, to empower the youth and boost tourism, we’ll establish an Institute of Hotel Management,” he assured the voters in Sikkim.

Highlighting India’s resilience amid global obstacles, he stated while major economies faced setbacks due to the pandemic or other crises, India has ascended from the 11th to the 5th largest economy globally.

On India’s economic achievements over the past decade, Nadda pointed out, “In steel manufacturing, we are number 2 from number 4; in the automobile market, we have defeated Japan, we stand at number 3. Only America and China are ahead of us. When it comes to the Mobile industry, 10 years back you had mobile phones made in China, today you have mobile phones where it is written ‘Made in India’.”

Also Read:Caste census, MSP guarantee, scrapping Agnipath: Key highlights of Samajwadi Party’s poll manifesto

The Assembly elections in Sikkim are scheduled to coincide with the first phase of the Lok Sabha elections on April 19th. Sikkim comprises 32 assembly seats and one parliamentary constituency.

In the 2019 Lok Sabha polls, the Sikkim Krantikari Morcha (SKM) clinched the lone Lok Sabha seat from the state. The SKM also secured victory in 17 out of 32 seats in the Assembly polls, while the Sikkim Democratic Front won 15 seats.