New Delhi: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), however, chose to unveil the first edition of its manifesto, or Sankalp Patra, for the upcoming Delt1 elections only to be met with storm by the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP). Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal questioned why voters should choose the BJP when it promises to continue the welfare schemes initiated by AAP. To this, the BJP claimed that there is a key divergent ground between “revdi” (freebies) and development.
BJP’s Manifesto Highlights
On Monday, BJP President and Union Minister of PJP Nadda launched the manifesto and termed it the first installment of a three-pronged approach. Women’s welfare emerged as the central focus, with promises of financial assistance to women, young mothers, and senior citizens. Other highlights included subsidies on gas cylinders and expanded welfare schemes, aimed at challenging AAP’s decade-long dominance in Delhi.
“The BJP is committed to transforming Delhi through holistic development and women’s empowerment,” Nadda declared during the release event.
AAP’s Counterattack
Kejriwal said, “PM Modi should make it clear that giving free welfare is not something wrong for the nation indeed it is an boon to the citizens.
Kejriwal has also ridiculed BJP’s offer to carry forward AAP’s live scheme[s] if they come to power. But if the BJP realizes that Kejriwal’s welfare programmes actually help their own followers and supporters.why vote for the BJP? All such work is better done by AAP,” he said.
Calling the BJP’s manifesto a “Kejriwal Patra,” the Delhi CM insisted the BJP lacks originality or a distinct vision for Delhi. “BJP claims it will replicate what we’ve done. Then why not let the original creators continue?” he asked in a series of online posts.
Kejriwal further remarked on the lack of law-and-order reforms in BJP’s manifesto, in view of the escalating gang violence in Delhi. The issue has been completely ignored by the BJP in their manifesto. How can they guarantee that the future of Delhi will be better when they refuse to address this crucial issue? he added.
BJP’s Retort
Delhi BJP President Virendra Sachdeva rejected the criticisms of Kejriwal, who is alleged to have mistaken the former for freebies and the latter for empowerment. “When AAP makes promises, it is about distributing freebies. As to our commitments, they look to future long-term growth and self-efficacy,” Sachdeva added. He then levelled bribery charges against the AAP government, pointing out what he called irregularities in the flagship Mohalla Clinics scheme of the AAP government, and promised to examine the same if the BJP comes to power.
During the manifesto release, Nadda alleged that AAP had failed to deliver on its promises in both Delhi and Punjab. The AAP has transformed its Mohalla Clinics into dens of corruption. Our government will launch a thorough investigation into these clinics if elected,” he asserted.
AAP’s Decade-Long Reign Under Threat?
The manifesto of BJP seeks to undo AAP’s strong hold on Delhi, which is largely attributed to its policies of free electricity, water, and healthcare. BJP is presenting itself as a counter movement by offering accountability, empowerment and development, while assuring the current incumbency benefits.
Kejriwal, however, remains confident that AAP’s track record speaks for itself. “The BJP has had ample opportunities over the past decade to prove itself, but they have nothing to show for it,” he stated.
Conclusion
With the Delhi campaign getting closer, the battle between BJP and AAP, when summarized, demonstrates the stark and conflicting narratives presented to the voters by both sides. Despite defending the policy regime of governance based on welfare, AAP is met with counter-promulgation of development and empowerment by the BJP. The election result will not only determine the future rule of Delhi but also will provide an indication of the national political trajectory in the run-up to, from, and immediately after The general election.
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