Delhi Assembly Elections 2025: Freebies Galore as AAP, BJP, and Congress Compete for Voter Attention
New Delhi, January 17: With the Delhi Assembly elections on the horizon, political parties are leaving no stone unturned in wooing voters with a slew of promises, particularly focusing on freebies and welfare schemes. The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), seeking its fourth consecutive term, is doubling down on its existing schemes, while the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Congress are unveiling competitive promises to outshine one another. From financial assistance for women to subsidized utilities, the race to offer more continues to heat up.
BJPโs Promises: Focus on Women and Affordable Living
BJP has positioned its manifesto as a transformative plan to uplift Delhi residents. Party President JP Nadda unveiled the first phase of their election manifesto, emphasizing key welfare initiatives:
- Monthly Assistance for Women: Under the Mahila Samriddhi Yojana, BJP promises โน2,500 monthly financial aid to all women, to be implemented in the first cabinet meeting if elected.
- Subsidized LPG Cylinders: BJP pledges to provide LPG cylinders for โน500 to poor families. Additionally, a free cylinder will be distributed during Holi and Diwali.
- Healthcare Revolution: BJP plans to implement the Ayushman Bharat scheme, offering โน5 lakh in health coverage from the central government and an additional โน5 lakh from the Delhi government. Senior citizens will receive up to โน10 lakh in free medical coverage, including OPD and diagnostics.
- Increased Pension: The party promises to raise the pension for citizens aged 60โ70 from โน2,000 to โน2,500 per month, and for those over 70, widows, and destitute women from โน2,500 to โน3,000 per month.
- Affordable Meals for the Underprivileged: The Atal Canteen initiative proposes to serve nutritious meals in slum areas for just โน5 per plate.
Congressโs Promises: Targeting Inflation and Youth
The Congress party has unveiled several key initiatives under its proposed governance model, focusing on inflation relief and employment generation:
- 300 Units of Free Electricity: Congress promises to provide 300 units of free electricity per household. Consumers exceeding this limit will only pay for the extra consumption.
- Affordable LPG and Free Ration Kits: Under the Mehangai Mukti Yojana, the party pledges subsidized LPG cylinders at โน500 and free ration kits to Delhi residents.
- Financial Aid for Women: The Pyaari Didi Yojana guarantees โน2,500 per month for all women in Delhi, aiming to empower them financially.
- Health Insurance of โน25 Lakh: Congress plans to introduce the Jeevan Raksha Yojana, offering free health insurance coverage of up to โน25 lakh.
- Unemployment Allowance: Educated unemployed youth will receive โน8,500 per month for one year under the proposed employment assistance scheme.
AAPโs Strategy: Continuity with Additional Benefits
AAP is banking on the continuation of its highly popular schemes while introducing new ones to broaden its appeal.
- Continuation of Free Schemes: AAP has assured voters that its existing schemes, such as free electricity (200 units), free water, free public transportation for women, and free healthcare, will continue uninterrupted.
- Monthly Allowance for Women: Under the Chief Minister Mahila Samman Yojana, women will receive โน2,100 per month. Post-election, this amount is expected to increase to โน2,500 per month.
- Free Healthcare for Seniors: The Sanjeevani Yojana will provide comprehensive free healthcare services, including treatments at private and government hospitals, for all citizens above 60 years of age.
- Free Bus Travel for Students: AAP plans to extend its free bus travel scheme to students, with additional concessions of up to 50% in metro fares, pending central government approval.
- Financial Support for Religious Leaders: AAP has pledged a monthly stipend of โน18,000 for all priests and granthis in Delhi.
Who Offers What: A Comparative Snapshot
| Scheme | AAP | BJP | Congress |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electricity Subsidy | 200 units free | โ | 300 units free |
| Womenโs Allowance | โน2,100โโน2,500 | โน2,500 | โน2,500 |
| LPG Subsidy | โ | โน500/cylinder + free on festivals | โน500/cylinder |
| Healthcare Coverage | Free for seniors | โน10 lakh for seniors | โน25 lakh insurance |
| Senior Citizen Pension | Existing schemes | โน2,500โโน3,000 | โ |
| Unemployment Allowance | โ | โ | โน8,500/month |
| Ration Scheme | โ | โ | Free ration kits |
Election Buzz: Promises in the Spotlight
While AAP emphasizes continuity and builds on its existing governance model, BJP and Congress are pitching fresh ideas, particularly targeting women, senior citizens, and the economically weaker sections. BJPโs focus on healthcare and meals for the underprivileged aligns with its national welfare agenda. Congress, meanwhile, is leveraging inflation relief and youth employment as its key offerings.
As election campaigns intensify, voters face a myriad of promises from all three parties, leaving the electorate to decide which vision resonates most.
