As the countdown to the inaugural phase of the 18th Lok Sabha elections dwindles to mere days, political fervor intensifies with the unveiling of party manifestos vying for the electorate’s mandate. In a significant development, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) unveiled its manifesto yesterday, April 14, pledging to revolutionize the energy landscape by providing piped LPG gas and advancing solar panel installations across the nation. However, the oppositional INDI alliance swiftly denounced the BJP’s manifesto, casting aspersions on its viability and efficacy. Trinamool Rajya Sabha Member of Parliament, Saket Gokhale, took to social media to assail the Indian Prime Minister, alleging a breach of trust in fulfilling his commitment to provide housing for all.
Saket Gokhale wrote on X, ‘How the BJP Manifesto 2024 exposes Modi’s brazen lies 👇
During the last Lok Sabha election in 2019, BJP & Modi had made a promise saying “Every Indian will have a pucca house by 2022”.
This promise was not only made by Modi but also shows up on the website of the PM Awas Yojaya.
What’s the reality? Modi LIED & failed to deliver this promise.
Now BJP’s 2024 manifesto is positioned as “Modi ki Guarantee”.
But there’s not a single word from Modi anymore about whether he delivered on his promise in the last election to provide “housing for all Indians by 2022”.
What’s shocking is that the 2024 BJP manifesto makes ZERO mention of “housing for all Indians”.
Modi is a pathological liar. For the last 10 years, he & his party BJP have only made tall fake promises.
It is not just the lies that are offensive. What’s worse is how Modi thinks he can underestimate the intelligence of an average Indian & feels that he can keep bluffing election after election.
Basically, Modi Guarantee = Zero Warranty.’
How the BJP Manifesto 2024 exposes Modi's brazen lies 👇
— Saket Gokhale (@SaketGokhale) April 15, 2024
During the last Lok Sabha election in 2019, BJP & Modi had made a promise saying "Every Indian will have a pucca house by 2022".
This promise was not only made by Modi but also shows up on the website of the PM Awas… pic.twitter.com/nDCTmFsgaK
In a recent tweet, Trinamool Congress parliamentarian made two assertions: Firstly, that the BJP’s 2024 manifesto lacks a commitment to provide housing for all, and secondly, that Prime Minister Modi has reneged on this promise. This piece will fact-check Saket Gokhale’s statements regarding the manifesto and its housing scheme pledge.
Fact Check
Our investigation started with an examination of the recently unveiled Bharatiya Janata Party manifesto. On page 11, under the banner “Expanding PM Awas Yojana,” the document states: “We have enhanced the living standards of over four crore economically disadvantaged families through the PM Awas Yojana. Acknowledging the profound impact of this initiative, we pledge to extend the PM Awas Yojana to guarantee every economically disadvantaged family access to high-quality housing.”
Additionally, we looked for relevant news articles using targeted keywords. According to a report by Business Standard published on April 14, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has pledged to construct 30 million new residences and enhance the Real Estate (Regulation and Development) Act, 2016 (RERA) within its 2024 Lok Sabha election manifesto.
The article further reads, “During the Modi government, over the past 10 years, the manifesto claimed to have provided more than 40 million families with pucca houses under the Pradhan Mantri (PM) Awas Yojana and other initiatives.
The manifesto highlighted improved conditions for 40 million poor families under PM Awas Yojana and plans for expansion to “quality housing”.
Moreover, the BJP manifesto underscores its accomplishments in providing housing to a significant number of slum residents and commits to extending this effort through fresh policy measures. These initiatives aim to build top-tier residences on slum territories, thereby aiding in the resettlement of economically disadvantaged families.
Thus, supported by both the BJP manifesto and corroborating media reports, it is evident that the ruling party has indeed made assurances regarding housing provision in its 2024 manifesto.
Moreover, We examined the claim suggesting that Prime Minister Modi has falsified information and failed to fulfil housing promises for those in need. By reviewing data on the total number of houses constructed under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana—both Gramin and Urban—we found that 3.24 crore individuals have registered, with funds sanctioned for 2.94 crore houses, out of which 2.55 crore are fully constructed. Similarly, on the PMAY-Urban website, 118 lakh houses are sanctioned, 114 lakh are in progress, and 80.02 lakh are completed.
During her final Budget 2024 address prior to the Lok Sabha elections, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman pledged to broaden the housing scheme. As reported by CNBC, she announced plans for a housing initiative targeting the middle class, as well as schemes aimed at assisting slum residents and individuals living in rented accommodations. Additionally, Sitharaman affirmed the government’s commitment to provide an additional 2 crore houses under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana – Gramin. She stated, “We are nearing the accomplishment of the 3 crore target set for the rural housing scheme. An additional two crore houses will be constructed in the next five years.”
The Pradhan Mantri Gramin Awas Yojana, a social welfare initiative by the Indian Government, aims to provide housing for the rural poor. A parallel scheme for the urban poor was initiated in 2015.
In conclusion, TMC MP Saket Gokhale’s assertion that the BJP’s 2024 manifesto lacked any mention of housing schemes is factually incorrect. The manifesto clearly outlines the party’s commitment to expanding housing initiatives for economically disadvantaged families. Furthermore, Gokhale’s claim that Prime Minister Awas Yojana is a fabrication and that the Modi government has not delivered on its promises is misleading. Data indicates that over 4 crore houses have been provided across both rural and urban areas, demonstrating tangible progress in addressing housing needs under the current administration.
| Claim | BJP has not promised housing for everybody in its 2024 elections. |
| Claimed by | Saket Gokhale |
| Fact Check | False |
