Delhi Sankalp Patra: Promises or Freebies?

As the voting day for the upcoming Delhi Assembly elections scheduled for February 5 approaches, political parties have also intensified their efforts to woo voters, trying their best to outdo each other in terms of poll promises.

Both the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), unveiled their manifestos filled with promises aimed at attracting voters. The BJP’s manifesto, known as the ‘Sankalp Patra’, emphasises welfare schemes, particularly targeting women and economically disadvantaged groups, with pledges including monthly financial assistance of ₹2,500 for women, ₹21,000 for pregnant women, and subsidised LPG cylinders.

The BJP which has been critical of AAP’s ‘subsidy governance’ has also committed to continuing existing welfare programs initiated by the AAP, such as free electricity and public transport for women, while proposing enhancements like free education from kindergarten to postgraduate levels.

In response, AAP leader Arvind Kejriwal has accused the BJP of copying his party’s initiatives and has challenged Prime Minister Modi to reconcile his previous criticisms of “freebie culture” with the BJP’s current promises. The Congress party has also entered the fray, offering similar financial aid and welfare schemes, further complicating the electoral dynamics.

As the election date approaches, the discourse around “freebies” versus sustainable development is becoming a focal point, with each party vying to present its vision for Delhi’s future amidst concerns over fiscal responsibility and governance.

Jargon

Viewpoints 💭

  • The AAP criticises the BJP for copying its welfare schemes, arguing that the BJP lacks originality and vision for Delhi’s future.
  • Arvind Kejriwal accuses the BJP of hypocrisy, highlighting the contradiction between PM Modi’s past criticism of freebies and the BJP’s current promises.
  • The AAP warns that the BJP’s manifesto threatens to dismantle free education and healthcare services, which could impose financial burdens on families.
  • Kejriwal emphasises that AAP’s welfare initiatives are not politically motivated but are in the public interest, aiming to provide equitable access to essential services.
  • The AAP argues that the BJP’s promises lack commitment to improving law and order and are merely electoral gimmicks to attract voters.
  • The left views the BJP’s adoption of welfare schemes as an acknowledgment of AAP’s successful governance model, while the right sees it as a strategic move to empower marginalised groups.
  • The left criticises the BJP for lacking originality and merely replicating AAP’s initiatives, whereas the right emphasises the continuation and enhancement of existing welfare programs for broader impact.
  • The left argues that the BJP’s promises threaten the progress made under AAP governance, while the right focuses on addressing alleged corruption and ensuring transparency in welfare schemes.
  • The left perceives the BJP’s manifesto as lacking a vision for law and order improvements, while the right highlights its commitment to good governance and development through infrastructure projects.
  • The left accuses the BJP of hypocrisy in adopting ‘freebie’ politics, whereas the right justifies its welfare measures as necessary for empowerment and economic upliftment, distancing itself from creating dependency.
  • The BJP’s manifesto focuses on welfare measures for women and economically disadvantaged groups, aiming to empower them through financial assistance and subsidies.
  • The BJP promises to continue existing welfare schemes initiated by AAP, countering rumors of their discontinuation, and emphasises good governance and development.
  • The BJP criticises AAP for alleged corruption and misgovernance, pledging to investigate these issues and implement a zero-tolerance approach to corruption.
  • The BJP aims to balance freebies with infrastructure development, highlighting successful welfare schemes in other BJP-ruled states as models for Delhi.
  • The BJP argues that its welfare initiatives are sustainable and focus on empowerment rather than creating dependency, contrasting with AAP’s ‘revdi culture’.

Prominent Voices 📣

  • Arvind Kejriwal (Former Chief Minister of Delhi and AAP Chief): Criticises BJP’s manifesto for adopting AAP’s welfare schemes, questioning the sincerity of their promises, and highlighting the importance of continuing successful social welfare initiatives. 1 2
  • Priyanka Kakkar (AAP National Spokesperson): Questions BJP’s adoption of AAP’s welfare schemes and criticises the lack of law and order plans in their manifesto. 3
  • Rahul Gandhi (Congress MP): Highlights Congress’s plans for extensive health coverage and support for unemployed youth, aiming to provide a robust welfare framework. 4
  • Ajay Maken (Congress leader): Focuses on Congress’s strategy to surpass AAP and BJP in welfare offerings, emphasising a comprehensive approach to benefit Delhi’s residents. 5
  • Vinesh Phogat (Congress Leader and Olympic Wrestler): Claims both AAP and BJP are imitating Congress’s poll promises, emphasising Congress’s original welfare strategies. 6
  • JP Nadda (BJP National President and Union Minister): Emphasises BJP’s commitment to welfare schemes, women’s empowerment, and addressing corruption, while criticising AAP’s governance. 3 7
  • Anurag Thakur (Former Union Minister and senior BJP leader): Highlights BJP’s focus on welfare measures, financial assistance, and insurance schemes, while criticising AAP’s governance failures. 8 9
  • Virendra Sachdeva (Delhi BJP President): Defends BJP’s manifesto by emphasising empowerment over freebies and addressing the needs of religious communities and women. 10 11
  • Manoj Tiwari (BJP leader): Asserts BJP’s dedication to enhancing existing welfare schemes and introducing new benefits to support Delhi’s citizens. 5 12
  • Hardeep Singh Puri (Union Minister): Criticises AAP’s free welfare schemes, arguing that development cannot be achieved through such measures. 13

Sources 📚

1
NDTVFreebies For Students In BJP’s Delhi Poll Manifesto Part 2, AAP Hits Back
2
Deccan HeraldDelhi Assembly Elections 2025| BJP manifesto promises many ‘freebies’, Kejriwal chides PM Modi for ‘copying’ AAP’s success model
3
The HinduPriyanka Kakkar accuses BJP of copying AAP’s schemes in its Delhi poll manifesto
4
Free Press JournalDelhi Elections: Promises Or Freebies? Heres How AAP, BJP, Congress Manifestos Compare
5
MoneycontrolDelhi Election 2025: AAP, BJP, Congress manifestos compared — Who is winning the battle of freebies?
6
ABP Live‘Modi Should Accept Freebies As God’s Prasad’: Kejriwal Slams BJP Manifesto, Claims Party Will Shut Mohalla Clinics
7
MintDelhi Election 2025: BJP to release its manifesto at 2 pm today. Cash scheme for women, free bus rides expected | Mint
8
The Tribune IndiaDelhi Assembly polls: BJP vows free education, Rs 10 lakh cover for cabbies, maternity leave for house help
9
SwarajyaFree ‘KG To PG’ Education, Monthly Stipend To Scheduled Caste Students: Second Part Of BJP’s Promises For Delhi Election
10
Mathrubhumi English‘If welfare schemes are to continue, why vote for you then?’ Kejriwal hits BJP over manifesto
11
Telangana TodayDelhi polls: BJP may pitch for free power in its manifesto
12
The Week‘LPG cylinders at Rs 500, Rs 2,500 for senior citizens and more…’: Freebies galore in BJP’s Delhi manifesto
13
ABP LiveBJP Not Averse To ‘Revdi’? It Could Pip AAP In Freebie Promises In Delhi Polls Manifesto

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