Key Achievements & Policy Initiatives
1. Economic & Infrastructure Growth
Large-scale infrastructure push: highways, Metro expansion, rural electrification.
Initiatives like “Make in India”, Digital India, Jan Dhan, Ujjwala, and Swachh Bharat reflected a drive to modernise and include.
Special Economic Zones and business incentives in Gujarat (under Modi) improved “ease of doing business”, though human development remained mixed.
2. Social Welfare Schemes
Ayushman Bharat (health insurance) reached millions.
Ujjwala (free LPG) and rural housing/electricity programmes improved grassroots welfare.
3. Global Standing & Nationalism
Reasserted a stronger national identity: Ram Temple at Ayodhya, Kashi Vishwanath dham, Abrogation of Article 370 in Jammu & Kashmir.
Diplomacy elevated: India given a pivotal role in global geopolitics, balancing major powers.
4. Caste Census & Reservation Politics
2021 decision to restore caste-based questions in census marked a policy shift.
Introduced 10% reservation for Economically Weaker Sections (EWS) in 2019 for General Category.
Controversies & Criticisms
1. Democratic Backsliding & Centralisation
BJP accused of authoritarianism, undermining media freedom, courts, and institutions.
UAPA amendments (2019) broadened powers, raising civil liberties concerns.
2. Communal Tensions
Citizenship Amendment Act (2019): religion‑based discrimination (excludes Muslims), sparking protests and Delhi riots).
3. Reservation Benefits
Appeasement of SC/ST/OBC: Much increase in scholarships, PSU layoffs affecting GC & bypassing reserved quotas.
Reports of dropout rates in central universities among these groups due to lacking knowledge as they got admission in institutions even at very low rank cutoff.
4. General Category & Betrayal Claims
Although BJP courted the “General” caste vote under EWS, critics argue upper-caste poorly targeted were neglected and economically similar lower castes still dominate.
Allegations: before elections they promote Hindu unity, but post-victory long-term Hindu consolidation and caste privilege undo promises.
Where BJP Is Lacking
Employment & Economic Equity:
Job creation hasn’t matched space; manufacturing growth limited. Wealth gap rose, with richest benefiting more.
Social Welfare Disparities:
Though rural and welfare schemes launched, public spending on healthcare & education remains below needs.
Systemic Bias:
Persistent bias in public offices: underrepresentation of GC in senior roles, and rights rollback for tribals under forest act.
Democratic Institutions:
Centralized control weakened independent regulators; lack of PM accountability via press conferences.
Election-Time vs Governing-Time Behavior
Many Hindus feel the BJP markets itself as their champion before polls temple visits, religious symbolism but once in power, broader policy momentum slows. Critics claim lived Hindu–right agenda beyond optics takes a backseat after victory replies mere symbolic gestures but no structural empowerment.
