India's ruling party releases manifesto days before election

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, left, with Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) president Amit Shah listen to Indian Home Minister Rajnath Singh during the release BJP's manifesto for the upcoming general elections in New Delhi, India, Monday, April 8, 2019. India's general elections are scheduled to be held in seven phases starting from April 11. Votes will be counted on May 23. (AP Photo/Manish Swarup)

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi releases BJP's manifesto for the upcoming general elections in New Delhi, India, Monday, April 8, 2019. India's general elections are scheduled to be held in seven phases starting from April 11. Votes will be counted on May 23. (AP Photo/Manish Swarup)

India's ruling party has released its election manifesto three days before polling in the world's largest democracy begins.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other leaders of the Bharatiya Janata Party hoping to return to power for a second five-year term laid out their platform on Monday, emphasizing national security and economic development.

Finance Minister Arun Jaitley said that the government "wants to expedite the path of progress."

Jaitley also cited an Indian airstrike against an alleged terrorist camp in Pakistan after a suicide bomber killed 40 Indian soldiers in disputed Kashmir in February.

The main opposition Congress party released its manifesto last week, blasting the Hindu nationalist BJP for working "to divide the nation."

The BJP manifesto opens with an entreaty from Modi for voters' "valued blessings."

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