New Delhi: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Friday released the first part of its manifesto for the Delhi polls, announcing a slew of freebies—Rs 2,500 per month to eligible women, one-time financial assistance of Rs 21,000 for pregnant women and higher old age assistance. It also promised to implement the Ayushman Bharat scheme in Delhi.
BJP president J.P. Nadda while unveiling the manifesto stressed all existing welfare schemes in Delhi will continue to be implemented “even after BJP forms the government”.
Apart from Rs 21,000 to pregnant women, the party has also promised to provide them with six nutritional kits. ThePrint first reported in November 2024 that Delhi BJP was planning to introduce a financial assistance scheme for women.
Besides these freebies, the BJP has also promised to set up Atal Canteen Yojana under which those living in slum clusters will be able to get a meal for Rs 5, if voted to power.
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The BJP has been out of power in Delhi since 1998 and sees this election as an opportunity to regain power in the national capital. The party has not announced any CM candidate and is banking on brand Modi to come to power. To counter the ‘freebies’ being provided by the AAP government, the BJP in the first part of its manifesto has tried to woo women voters.
“These schemes will be executed more effectively and further strengthened to benefit the people. Additionally, we are committed to eradicating every avenue of corruption, which has been a hallmark of the AAP-led administration,” he said.
Nadda said all announcements made by the party will also be implemented in New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) and Delhi Cantonment limits.
Announcing a hike of Rs 500 in the old age assistance for senior citizens, Nadda said those in the age-group of 60-70 will get Rs 2,500 each month, while those aged 70 and above—also widows and the destitute—will be entitled to monthly assistance of Rs 3,000.
Apart from the Mahila Samman Nidhi under which eligible women in Delhi will be provided Rs 2,500 as assistance each month, the BJP has also announced LPG cylinders for Rs 500 apiece for eligible women. It has also promised one cylinder free of cost to financially backward families on Holi and Diwali.
A decision will be taken in the first cabinet meeting itself if the BJP comes to power in Delhi, Nadda said on the Mahila Samman Nidhi.
The BJP’s mission, he said, was to make Delhi corruption-free.
“Our ‘Sankalp Patra’ is the foundation for a developed Delhi. We had made 500 promises in 2014, we delivered 499. In 2019, we made 235, we completed 225. The rest were also on the stages of implementation,” Nadda added. “Before 2014 everyone used to forget about promises made in the manifesto. It is a commitment document towards attainment. The change in the political culture is because of PM Modi’s vision,” he said.
In December, former Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal announced monthly financial assistance of Rs 2,100 to eligible women in Delhi if AAP returns to power in Delhi. The AAP touted the scheme as a “game-changer”. The scheme, Mukhyamantri Mahila Samman Yojana, was first announced by CM Atishi’s 2024-25 annual budget speech as finance minister. The AAP government in Delhi later allocated Rs 2,000 crore for the scheme which entitled eligible women to monthly financial assistance of Rs 1,000.
Similar schemes were launched in Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh by the incumbents ahead of assembly elections in 2024 and 2023 respectively.
Also Read: AAP’s Rs 2,100 poll promise to women isn’t getting much traction in Delhi. It’s a Punjab-sized problem
