Delhi Assembly Elections: Kejriwal Promises 15 Guarantees, Vows to Keep Free Schemes Going

Ahead of the Delhi Assembly elections on February 5, Arvind Kejriwal, the chief of Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), unveiled a list of “15 guarantees” for the people of Delhi. He assured that, if re-elected, his government would continue the city’s ongoing free schemes. Kejriwal also emphasized that these promises would be implemented as a part of AAP’s commitment to the people.

The 15 guarantees presented by AAP include providing jobs for the unemployed in the next five years, offering ₹2,100 per month to women under the Mahila Samman Yojana, and extending free medical treatment to senior citizens in private hospitals through the Sanjeevani Yojana. Other key promises include waiving inflated water bills, ensuring 24×7 clean drinking water, cleaning the Yamuna, and redeveloping Delhi’s roads to European standards. Additionally, AAP has promised scholarships for Dalit students, free bus rides for male students, and financial aid for Hindu and Sikh priests.

The party also pledged to extend free water and electricity to tenants, replace outdated and blocked sewer lines, issue ration cards for those in need, and provide special funds to RWAs to hire independent security guards. Kejriwal reiterated that these promises would be delivered if the party formed the next government.

Kejriwal acknowledged that three of these guarantees were part of the 2020 election promises but remained unfulfilled due to challenges like the COVID-19 pandemic and legal issues. “When our government is back, we will make sure these promises are kept,” Kejriwal stated, adding that attempts to block sewer lines when he was jailed were a deliberate attempt to discredit his government, which he vowed to fix.

Further reinforcing his message, Kejriwal criticized the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), accusing them of planning to end Delhi’s free schemes, including free education, electricity, and healthcare services. “If BJP wins, households in Delhi will face an additional financial burden of ₹25,000 per month. I urge you to vote for AAP and continue to benefit from our free schemes,” he warned.

However, the BJP denied such allegations. Union Home Minister Amit Shah, while releasing the final part of the BJP’s manifesto, assured that all welfare schemes would continue under a BJP government. The manifesto promises include 50,000 government jobs, 2 million self-employment opportunities, free bus rides for women, and the regularization of unauthorized colonies, among others.

Kejriwal also emphasized that AAP’s manifesto is not merely a list of promises but a set of guarantees, and his government has a track record of fulfilling them. He signed a guarantee card during the unveiling ceremony to further strengthen his commitment.

Full List of AAP’s 15 Guarantees:

1. Unemployment: Address and resolve the issue of unemployment in Delhi.
2. Mahila Samman Yojana: Provide ₹2,100 monthly to all women.
3. Sanjeevani Yojana: Free medical services for all citizens above 60 years, including in private hospitals.
4. Waiver of Inflated Water Bills: Correct and waive inflated water bills.
5. 24×7 Clean Drinking Water: Ensure round-the-clock clean drinking water in every household.
6. Clean Yamuna: Complete the cleaning of the Yamuna River.
7. Roads to European Standards: Redevelop roads and ensure their maintenance as per European standards.
8. Dr. Ambedkar Scholarship Yojana: Fund higher education for Dalit students at foreign universities.
9. Free Bus Travel for Students: Free bus rides for all students, with a 50% discount on metro fares.
10. Pujari and Granthi Yojana: ₹18,000 per month for all Pujaris and Granthis.
11. Extension of Free Water and Electricity: Extend the free water and electricity schemes to tenants.
12. Sewer Line Overhaul: Replace all blocked and old sewer lines.
13. Ration Cards for the Needy: Open a window for issuing ration cards to the underprivileged.
14. Support for Autowallas and E-rickshaw Pullers: ₹10 lakh life insurance, ₹5 lakh accident insurance, and ₹1 lakh for daughters’ weddings, along with free coaching for their children.
15. Support for RWAs: Provide special funds for RWAs to hire and maintain independent security guards.

With these guarantees, Kejriwal hopes to secure voter support and retain power in the upcoming Delhi Assembly elections, setting the stage for a highly competitive political battle.