Jobs, 24-hour water supply, clean Yamuna and a bouquet of freebies were among the 15 ‘Kejriwal’s guarantees’ that the Aam Aadmi Party announced in its election manifesto as Delhi preps for polls next week. “It’s Kejriwal’s guarantee, not Modi’s ‘fake’ guarantee,” the AAP chief said in a jibe at the BJP at a rally in Delhi.
The manifesto focused on social welfare schemes, employment generation, and improvements in public services.
The first guarantee, as per Kejriwal, promises more employment opportunities. Arvind Kejriwal acknowledged the official data which indicates low unemployment in the capital, at just 2 per cent compared to the national average of 6 per cent. However, he said that even one unemployed person was too many. "I want no one in Delhi to remain unemployed," he said. "When our children study and cannot find work, it causes great distress," he added.
While admitting that he failed to clean Yamuna, Kejriwal vowed that he will clean the river in the next years, if elected.
Promising to roll out the Ambedkar scholarship programme, the AAP supremo said that it will "cover the cost of education, travel and stay of Dalit students wanting to study at any international university."
He also pledged to make the bus rides free of cost for students, adding "a 50 per cent rebate in Delhi Metro for school/college students in the capital."
The party promises to roll out the Mahila Samman Yojana, offering Rs 2,100 to eligible women.
For senior citizens aged 60 and older, the party will introduce the Sanjeevani Yojana, which guarantees access to medical treatment in both public and private hospitals.
Guarantee of employment
Women’s Respect Scheme – Every woman will receive Rs 2100 in her bank account
Sanjeevani Scheme – Free treatment for those over 60 years old
Waiver of incorrect water bills
24-hour water supply
Roads like those in Europe
We will clean the Yamuna
Dr Ambedkar Scholarship Scheme
Free bus travel for students, concession on Delhi Metro
Priests and Granthis will receive Rs 18,000 each
Free electricity and water for tenants
Work to repair sewage systems
Ration cards will be issued
For auto, taxi, and e-rickshaw drivers – Rs 1 lakh for daughter’s marriage, free coaching for children, life insurance
Private security guards will be provided to RWAs (Resident Welfare Associations)
Earlier this month, with a focus on middle class voters, AAP had released its manifesto, making seven demands from the centre.
The party, in its middle-class manifesto, has demanded significant changes to public spending and taxation. The education budget should rise from 2 per cent to 10 per cent, with plans to regulate private school fees and offer subsidies for higher education. The health budget should also increase to 10 per cent, alongside the removal of taxes on health insurance. Income tax exemptions should be raised from Rs 7 lakh to Rs 10 lakh, and GST should be eliminated on essential goods.
The Bharatiya Janata Party has already unveiled its manifesto in three phases. Union Health Minister and party president JP Nadda released the first part, followed by Lok Sabha MP Anurag Thakur and Union Home Minister Amit Shah, who launched the second and third sections, respectively.
Voting for all 70 Assembly seats in Delhi is scheduled for February 5, with the counting of votes to take place on February 8.
