What was once criticised as “free ki revri” and “freebies” has now become the central focus for the political parties as they vie for votes in the February 5 Delhi elections. In a bid to match the ruling AAP’s raft of pre-poll promises in Delhi, the BJP is likely to announce free electricity of up to 300 units for household, free piped water, and a Ladli Behna-like scheme ( financial assistance of Rs 2500 for eligible women) to woo the voters in its manifesto for the upcoming assembly polls. Along with this, the BJP is also planning to provide free electricity of up to 500 units to religious places like temples and gurudwaras.
Top sources said these recommendations are expected to be part of the manifesto. The recommendations have been sent to central leadership for approval. According to sources, the manifesto committee has also recommended not doing away with schemes currently in place in Delhi including free public bus travel for women, up to 20 kilolitres of free water per month to domestic consumers, and free electricity to households that consume less than 200 units a month.
The AAP-led Delhi government currently provides free electricity for up to 200 units a month. Under the existing free electricity scheme, the Delhi government provides free electricity to consumers with a monthly consumption of 200 units. Whereas, a 50 per cent subsidy is given to people with a consumption of 201-400 units of electricity.
In a bid to further win over religious communities, the BJP is considering extending this electricity benefit to religious places such as temples and gurudwaras. Insiders say that these places of worship could receive up to 500 units of free electricity each month, benefiting not just the devotees but also helping the institutions reduce their operational costs, allowing them to focus on social and charitable activities.
Sources said the BJP may announce a special scheme for women empowerment in Delhi like the ‘Ladli Behna Yojana’. For AAP, which is eyeing a third straight term in power, the Mahila Samman Yojana is at the centre of its game plan. Under the scheme, the AAP has promised to hike the monthly dole for women in Delhi from the initial Rs 1,000 to Rs 2,100. AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal has also promised a scheme, ‘Sanjeevani Yojana’, that will provide free healthcare to residents over 60 years. Besides, AAP has announced Rs 10 lakh for auto drivers, allowance of Rs 18,000 for priests and granthis. Congress too has left no stone unturned to woo voters.
The Congress has promised ‘Pyaari Didi Yojana’ for women in Delhi. Congress has said that if the party comes to power, this scheme will be implemented in the first cabinet meeting itself. The party also announced ‘Jeevan Raksha Yojana’ that provides an insurance coverage of up to Rs 25 lakh.
“The fact is that AAP’s entire election campaign is based on freebies. After the election, the party announced many freebies which are not even possible to fulfil. The BJP, on the other hand, is focusing on its manifesto with schemes which it could deliver smoothly after forming the government. The clear picture will come up in the coming days as the party is working on it,” sources said.
In his first election rally in Delhi on Sunday last, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has said that no public welfare scheme would be discontinued if the party comes to power. However, it would go a step ahead and remove corruption in the implementation of the schemes. “Anticipating their defeat in the Delhi election, the AAP has started spreading a lie that if BJP comes, this would be stopped, that would be stopped. I want to assure the people of Delhi that no schemes of people’s welfare would be stopped in the BJP government,” the PM had said.
