New Delhi: Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) will release its manifesto for Delhi assembly elections on Friday (January 17). BJP national president JP Nadda will release the manifesto at 2 pm.
According to BJP sources, the manifesto may include schemes like relief to women in registration, free bus travel, Rani Laxmibai women safety scheme, promise to make the city pollution free and clean free drinking water in slums.
What’s likely to be included in BJP’s election manifesto?
BJP will likely to announce several new initiatives in its manifesto. The party’s manifesto will include a range of welfare schemes focused on empowering women, enhancing public transportation, and ensuring better living standards for the city’s residents.
- Cash assistance for women: BJP is expected to introduce a cash-for-women assistance scheme, modeled on similar programs implemented in BJP-ruled states. This scheme could see Delhi’s women receive a monthly financial aid ranging between Rs 2,500 and Rs 3,000, similar to Ladli Behna Yojana in Madhya Pradesh and Ladki Bahin Yojana in Maharashtra.
- Expansion of free bus ride scheme: BJP is likely to extend its free bus ride initiative for women to include male students and senior citizens. Currently limited to women students, the expanded scheme will allow anyone from a four-year-old child to a 40-year-old PhD scholar to avail free bus travel simply by providing an identity card. Additionally, all citizens aged 60 and above will be eligible for free bus rides.
- Increase in free electricity and water: BJP is expected to continue its commitment to providing free electricity and water, with an enhancement of existing schemes. The manifesto may promise up to 300 free units of electricity for households, an increase from the current 200 units and 500 free units of electricity for religious places. The party is also likely to assure continued free water supply and transport facilities for women.
- Women’s safety initiatives: As part of its focus on women’s welfare, BJP is likely to propose the launch of Rani Laxmibai Women Safety Scheme. The scheme will be aimed at improving women’s safety through various measures, including the introduction of women-only buses and special university buses. Furthermore, the party plans to increase the fleet of CNG and electric buses to ensure safer and more environmentally friendly transportation options for Delhi residents.
- Pollution control and clean drinking water: BJP manifesto is expected to emphasize efforts to tackle pollution and improve the city’s environmental conditions. One of the key promises could include a city-wide initiative to make Delhi pollution-free. Additionally, the manifesto may pledge the provision of clean drinking water in slum areas to ensure better living standards for the city’s underprivileged populations.
- Housing for slum dwellers: A significant promise in the manifesto may be “Jaha Jhuggi, Waha Makan” scheme, which aims to provide affordable housing to slum dwellers. This initiative will be part of BJP’s broader vision to uplift the poorest sections of society and provide them with safer, more stable living conditions.
- Cleaning Yamuna and removing garbage piles: BJP is likely to include a promise to clean Yamuna River within a year and remove the notorious “kooda pahads” (mountains of garbage) that have plagued the city for years.
- Countering AAP’s initiatives: BJP’s manifesto will also serve as a direct counter to AAP’s proposals. AAP has promised free healthcare for senior citizens, a monthly Rs 1,000 allowance to women under the Mahila Samman Yojana (which AAP promises to increase to Rs 2,100 per month if re-elected), and free water among other welfare schemes. Congress, too, has made promises, including 400 units of free electricity and Rs 25 lakh in health insurance for all residents of Delhi.
