BJP Showers Freebies on Delhi Voters with Atal Canteens Modeled on ‘Anna Canteens’
As Delhi heads toward assembly elections next month, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has unveiled a manifesto brimming with promises aimed at swaying voters. The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) seeks to retain power, while the BJP is determined to wrest control from its rival. In this high-stakes contest, both parties are enticing voters with an array of pledges.
BJP National President JP Nadda released the party’s manifesto, titled "Sankalp Patra", yesterday. Among its promises, the BJP announced a ₹21,000 financial aid package for pregnant women, accompanied by six nutritional kits. The party also pledged to continue the existing schemes that provide ₹5,000 for the first childbirth and ₹6,000 for the second.
Other significant promises include:
Monthly allowances for women: ₹2,500 under the Mahila Samriddhi Yojana.
Affordable LPG: Cylinders priced at ₹500, with one free cylinder each for Holi and Diwali.
Senior citizens: ₹2,500 monthly pensions for those aged 60–70, increasing to ₹3,000 for those over 70, as well as for widows, differently-abled individuals, and others in need.
Atal Canteens: Affordable meals at ₹5 each, inspired by the Anna Canteen initiative.
Arvind Kejriwal's Counterattack
AAP leader Arvind Kejriwal criticized the BJP's manifesto, accusing the party of hypocrisy. Kejriwal pointed out that BJP leaders, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, have often criticized AAP for offering "freebies," yet their own manifesto is now full of similar promises. Kejriwal questioned, “What does Modi say about these freebies now?” He demanded that Modi acknowledge the value of such initiatives, contradicting previous claims that they were detrimental.
BJP National President JP Nadda released the party’s manifesto, titled "Sankalp Patra", yesterday. Among its promises, the BJP announced a ₹21,000 financial aid package for pregnant women, accompanied by six nutritional kits. The party also pledged to continue the existing schemes that provide ₹5,000 for the first childbirth and ₹6,000 for the second.
Other significant promises include:
Monthly allowances for women: ₹2,500 under the Mahila Samriddhi Yojana.
Affordable LPG: Cylinders priced at ₹500, with one free cylinder each for Holi and Diwali.
Senior citizens: ₹2,500 monthly pensions for those aged 60–70, increasing to ₹3,000 for those over 70, as well as for widows, differently-abled individuals, and others in need.
Atal Canteens: Affordable meals at ₹5 each, inspired by the Anna Canteen initiative.
Arvind Kejriwal's Counterattack
AAP leader Arvind Kejriwal criticized the BJP's manifesto, accusing the party of hypocrisy. Kejriwal pointed out that BJP leaders, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, have often criticized AAP for offering "freebies," yet their own manifesto is now full of similar promises. Kejriwal questioned, “What does Modi say about these freebies now?” He demanded that Modi acknowledge the value of such initiatives, contradicting previous claims that they were detrimental.