With the party going to form the Government, all eyes are now on the dozens of assurances given by the Aam Aadmi Party, especially the promise of slashing the power tariff by 50 per cent and providing 700 litres of water per day to every household free of cost. The announcement made by the party after a fortnight long deadlock, to form the next Government in the national Capital, has now brought back the focus on the party’s promises which have been laughed off by its political rivals.
Out of the promises made by the party, the ones which caught the maximum attention are reduction in the power tariff and free water supply, which have been termed as impractical and a mockery of public sentiments. The party pledged to cut down the power rates by half and conduct audit of discoms or electricity distribution companies accused of overcharging consumers within three months of coming to power. However, it is still uncertain about the time that will be taken to achieve its goal of 700 litre water supply to every household.
In a bid to relieve people, the AAP made several promises ahead of the elections and vowed to deliver them in the most transparent way without the VIP culture. The party chief and soon to be Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has many times cleared his stand over the use of vehicles with
red beacon lights and police security.
The party has also promised “swaraj” or self-rule for which it has planned mohalla sabhas or neighbourhood meetings to decide on policies. The 272 meetings held across Delhi last week to invite public opinion on whether the AAP should form a Government with Congress support, was a preview of these mohalla sabhas.
The party assures to improve healthcare and education system in the Delhi and that it would open 500 new schools, more creches (anganwadi) for all children under the age of six years. The party that has been accused of “selling dreams which are unachievable” has raised the hoped of the people who are now following the party’s moves microscopically.
Regularising unauthorised colonies, which allegedly multiplied under the patronage of politicians, will be another daunting task for the AAP. The party has also promised to make the Yamuna River clear by ensuring that no untreated sewage would be discharged in the river for which, the party has proposed to redesign the sewage network and make sewage treatment plants functional.