Delhi has seen Revdi promises in the recent legislative election. Political parties assured to give freebies, including free bus services for women, no cost of electricity & water, and also manifested to provide a 50 percent concession in metro fare. Amidst the triangular battle in Delhi, political parties played a significant role with their manifestos, giving a guarantee of services to win the election.
Meanwhile, the BJP made a victory to win this election with a huge margin after 27 years of droughts, getting 48 seats and defeating the two consecutive ruling Aam Aadmi Party candidates, who secured only 22 seats. Whereas Congress stumps out at zero. It seems that people have voted on development issues instead of freebies, as AAP had built its own USP in elections, offering free services to Delhi people.
Freebies Agenda of AAP Goes Down
As AAP set their agenda to engage with voters by offering free electricity and water. When Kejriwal came to power in 2013 with the support of Congress, he announced free water up to 20,000 liters to every household in Delhi. They also said to provide 200 units of free electricity to the Delhiites. With time intervals, the party under the leadership of Kejriwal started giving free bus services that allow women to travel fare-free in all AC and non-AC DTC-run buses.
Free electricity and water have significantly impacted the lives of Delhi’s residents, particularly the common class, easing their burden amid the rising cost of living. But in this election, people have changed the whole mandate, choosing BJP in power and rejecting all the freebies that have been given by AAP. While the freebies scheme seems to be more popular, as this is eventually found in the BJP manifesto.
BJP Enters Freebies Arena in Delhi
In a meeting, BJP president JP Nadda unveiled the party’s Sankalp Patra during the election campaign, announced several key welfare initiatives, and criticized AAP for failing to deliver on its promises. To tempt women voters, the BJP introduced the Mahila Samridhi Yojna, under which they promised to give financial help to women as a monthly stipend of 2500. The party also proposed initiatives like indeed support for pregnant women, LPG subsidy, Atal Canteen Yojna, senior citizens pension scheme, and implementation of central schemes.
Compensation Exists in Manifestos
Apart from the AAP freebies concept, the BJP and Congress made their manifestos similar to Kejriwal. Both of these parties copied the welfare scheme by offering multiple schemes that have been started by the past government. But the mandate has changed towards BJP, as Reveri has not become more successful in this election. It seems that people needed changes to get development instead of Reverie. But the BJP played as close to AAP’s policy to sit down in power.
