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After years of resisting, the National Democratic Alliance partners have finally succumbed to the pressures of Big Brother BJP. Following faithfully the age-old adage "Birds of a feather flock together", the partners after being co-opted by the BJP have decided to don the saffron garb with aplomb. The NDA agenda in fact veritably reads like a photocopy of the BJP Vision Document released recently. Following are the salient features of the NDA manifesto:

• To strengthen national integration there should be an early and amicable resolution of the Ayodhya issue. "Efforts should be intensified for a dialogue and a negotiated settlement in an atmosphere of mutual trust and goodwill".
  
• For a lasting resolution of all outstanding issues between Indian and Pakistan including that of Jammu & Kashmir, Indo-Pak dialogue be continued on the basis of the joint statement issued in Islamabad in February 2004.
  
• Multi-dimensional relations with the United States would be broadened.
  
• To ensure that important offices of the State are occupied only by those who are India's natural citizens by their Indian origins, legislation be introduced in the Parliament.
  
• Within the first six months after coming into power Minorities development agenda will be unveiled which would focus on a 3-E programme: Education, Economic upliftment and Empowerment.
  
• To curb infiltration from Bangladesh into the North-East, the IMDT Act will be repealed.
  
• Reservations for the poor among 'forward classes'.
  
• Women's Reservation Bill will be introduced.
  
• Non-coercive disincentives for the two-child norm have been promised. Besides, the two-child norm will be made a qualification, on a prospective basis, for contesting any election.

— MG News Desk