BJP's Tamil Nadu manifesto: Alcohol prohibition, legalisation of Jalikattu

The Bharatiya Janata Party today released its manifesto for the upcoming Assembly election in Tamil Nadu. Two of the main promises that the national party made in its manifesto are the prohibition of alcohol and legalisation Jalikattu.

Jalikattu, the traditional sport of the region, has become a poll issue, this time around, with all political parties promising to legalise it. In May 2014, the Supreme Court had banned Jallikattu. Recently, The Hindu reported how Jallikattu organisers and people from 15 villages in Natham constituency decided to boycott the Assembly poll in protest of the "inability of political parties to obtain permission to conduct jallikattu.

This year, the Central government tried to lift the ban on the sport but met resistance from the apex court which refused to review its order. 

The manifesto was released by Union Minister Nitin Gadkari. Apart from these two points, other highlights of the manifesto included the promise to form a Lokayukta, ensure 24*7 availability of electricity, support for organic farming etc.