India elections and BJP manifesto
Narendra Modi (4th R), the prime ministerial candidate for Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), along with other party leaders hold copies of election manifesto in New Delhi Reuters

India's main opposition Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) has released its much-awaited election manifesto promising to resurrect the controversial Ram temple in the north Indian city of Ayodhya and vowed to revive the limping economy.

The party has also pledged to bar Foreign Direct Investment in the multi-brand retail sector but backed FDI in other areas in order to boost employment.

The 52-page document, which has been delayed for nearly two weeks, also promises to do away with Article 370 of the constitution which bestows special autonomous status on Jammu and Kashmir region.

The roadmap given by the party, which is widely expected to win the elections, says: "BJP reiterates its stand to explore all possibilities within the framework of the Constitution to facilitate the construction of the Ram temple in Ayodhya."

"The country has been dragged through 10 years of jobless growth by the Congress—led UPA Government. Under the broader economic revival, BJP will accord high priority to job creation and opportunities for entrepreneurship."

The release of the BJP's manifesto has been blocked in the northeastern states of Assam and Tripura as polling there is already under way.

The ruling Indian National Congress has also filed a complaint with the Election Commission against the BJP for releasing the document on polling day.

The BJP's prime ministerial nominee, Narendra Modi, said: "This manifesto is not just a formality but our goal. Good governance and development are our key agenda. I will do nothing for myself. I will not do anything with ill intent."