BJP vs AAP: Know What’s Driving Delhi’s Election Battle—Power, Water & More for All!

New Delhi (The Uttam Hindu): The BJP has made it clear that if it comes to power in Delhi, it will continue offering free electricity, water, and bus rides to the people. This promise comes at a time when Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal is telling the public that if BJP wins, the free schemes will be terminated.

The BJP, which hopes to capitalize on anti-incumbency sentiment against the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), is planning to adopt Kejriwal's successful “freebie” strategy to counter the AAP’s stronghold. The party has confirmed that, should it secure a majority in the Delhi Assembly elections, free electricity, free water, and free bus travel for women will remain in place.

BJP’s Manifesto Committee Chairman and MP Ramvir Singh Bidhuri confirmed this during a press conference on Monday. He stated that the party will continue these schemes and even improve them, countering claims by AAP leaders that BJP would discontinue these services if it comes to power. He added that the BJP will start consulting Delhiites for suggestions regarding the party's election manifesto starting Thursday.

A BJP leader mentioned that these schemes have a large beneficiary group, many of whom are not fully satisfied with AAP's governance but still want to continue benefiting from these initiatives. The BJP is likely to include a promise to provide financial assistance of ₹2100 per month to women, citing the success of similar promises in other states where the BJP has triumphed in elections.

Currently, the AAP government in Delhi offers free 200 units of electricity and 20,000 liters of drinking water each month, along with free bus rides for women. These programs are widely credited for AAP’s significant victories in the last two elections. Although the BJP initially criticized these initiatives as "revadi culture" (handouts), the party is now shifting its stance, recognizing their popularity among Delhi’s residents.

The Delhi Assembly elections are expected to take place in January or February next year. Currently, the BJP holds only 8 seats in the 70-member Assembly, a significant increase from just three seats in 2015.

AAP’s Retort: "No One Will Fall for BJP's Empty Promises"

In response to BJP's commitment to continue free electricity, water, and bus services, the AAP has dismissed it as an empty promise, calling it a "jumla" (empty rhetoric). AAP national spokesperson Priyanka Kakkar stated in an interview with ANI, "Delhiites will not fall for BJP's lies. We know that BJP, which governs 20 states, has never provided free electricity or water. If, by mistake, BJP wins in Delhi, it will be the first to cut off free electricity and water, handing over the power distribution companies to Adani, leading to expensive electricity and prolonged power cuts, just like in Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, and Maharashtra."