BJP seeks Bharat Ratna for Veer Savarkar in Maharashtra manifesto

In a major poll promise, BJP on Tuesday, made a pitch for honouring Swatantraveer Savarakar with the Bharat Ratna - the highest civilian honour awarded to Indians, as mentioned in its Maharashtra manifesto. The saffron party also pushed for Bharat Ratna for educational reformers Mahatma Jyotiba Phule and Savitribai Phule. BJP released its poll manifesto ahead of the Oct 21  poll date in the presence of CM Devendra Fadnavis and party working president J P Nadda in Mumbai. The Manifesto is titled - 'Sampanna, Samruddha, Samarth Maharashtra.' 

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BJP's manifesto promises Bharat Ratna for Veer Savarkar

Under the section 'State's identity, proud heritage' - the BJP has made the following poll promises:

• Building a big statue for Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj in the sea
• International memorial for Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar in Mumbai
• Female wing of Khadi Gram Udyog in all Talukas of Maharashtra
• Bharat Ratna for Veer Savarkar, Savitribai Phule, and Jyotiba Phule
• Memorial for Basaveshwar in Mangalveda along with memorials for several other leaders like Jijabai, Ahilyabai Holkar, and others.
• Development of several holy places and the celebration of many Maharashtra leaders' birth anniversaries.

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About Veer Savarkar

Vinayak Damodar Savarkar who is also known as Veer Savarkar was an Indian Independence fighter, politician, lawyer and the formulator of 'Hindutva' philosophy. He founded the Abhinav Bharat Society, which wrote extensively on the Indian Independence movement. He was later arrested and sentenced for revolutionary activities to two life terms of imprisonment totalling fifty years and was moved to the Cellular Jail in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. He was later released in 1921. 

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Shiv Sena releases manifesto

Shiv Sena (SS) launched its manifesto last Saturday. Several leaders including SS chief Uddhav Thackeray and Aditya Thackeray were present on the occasion. Though the party reiterated its stance with reference to the proposed car shed at Aarey, it did not find a mention in its manifesto. BJP and Shiv Sena are contesting together in the upcoming state elections.

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Maharashtra Assembly polls

Maharashtra which has 288 Assembly seats will go to polls in 21 October 2019. Maharashtra assembly elections will be held in a single-phase and the counting procedure would be conducted on October 24. Shiv Sena will contest for polls from 124 constituencies, the BJP will contest from 150 and its allies will contest from 14 constituencies. Meanwhile, Congress in alliance with Sharad Pawar's NCP, have decided to contest 125 seats each in the 288-member assembly, leaving the remaining 38 seats for its allies. Currently, the BJP holds 122 seats while the Shiv Sena holds 63 seats and the Opposition held by UPA has 42 seats.