As Delhi prepares for its upcoming Assembly elections, Arvind Kejriwal, National Convener of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), unveiled the party’s comprehensive manifesto on Wednesday. With a strong focus on the welfare of the middle class, Kejriwal’s proposals aim to address key issues in education, healthcare, taxation, and senior citizen welfare. The manifesto was presented alongside a seven-point charter of demands aimed at influencing the upcoming Union Budget.
AAP’s Focus on Middle-Class Welfare
The manifesto reflects AAP’s commitment to the middle class, which Kejriwal identified as crucial for the party’s electoral strategy. The proposed reforms in the manifesto are designed to ease the financial burdens faced by this demographic, highlighting the importance of common citizens in the development of the nation.
Proposals in the AAP Manifesto
Kejriwal’s manifesto contains a series of important 7 proposals:
1. Increased Education Spending
Kejriwal called for a dramatic increase in education funding, urging the central government to allocate 10% of the national budget to education, up from the current 2%. This proposal also includes capping private school fees to make education more affordable for middle-class families.
2. Support for Higher Education
To address the rising costs of higher education, AAP has proposed subsidies and scholarships to make college and university education more accessible. This measure aims to reduce the financial barriers faced by students from middle-income families.
3. Boost to Healthcare Funding
In a bid to improve healthcare services, AAP has demanded that the health budget be increased to 10%. The manifesto also proposes the removal of taxes on health insurance premiums, making it more affordable for individuals to access healthcare.
4. Tax Reforms for the Middle Class
Kejriwal’s manifesto includes a proposal to raise the income tax exemption limit from ₹7 lakh to ₹10 lakh. This move would benefit millions of salaried middle-class individuals by reducing their tax liabilities and increasing their disposable income.
5. Relief on Essential Commodities
To ease the rising cost of living, the AAP manifesto calls for the removal of Goods and Services Tax (GST) on essential commodities. This would provide immediate financial relief to households burdened by the increasing costs of everyday items.
6. Senior Citizen Welfare Measures
The manifesto also addresses the needs of senior citizens, proposing robust pension schemes, retirement plans, and free medical services at government hospitals. Additionally, Kejriwal has called for a 50% concession on rail travel for senior citizens, aiming to improve their quality of life.
7. Easing the Financial Burden
Kejriwal emphasized that these proposals are part of a broader strategy to reduce the financial strain on middle-class families, especially in the face of inflation. He highlighted past successes, including reducing electricity and water tariffs, as evidence of AAP’s dedication to easing living costs.
Kejriwal’s Vision for a People Centric Budget
Along with the manifesto, Kejriwal presented a series of demands to the central government, urging that these issues be addressed in the Union Budget. He stressed that the middle class is the backbone of the economy and that their concerns must be prioritized in the government’s financial planning.
“We use taxpayer money to fund education and protect the middle class from inflation,” Kejriwal said, referring to AAP’s initiatives in Delhi to reduce tariffs and improve government-run hospitals.
AAP Criticizes BJP’s Tactics Ahead of Elections
In addition to the manifesto, Kejriwal and Delhi Chief Minister Atishi held a press conference, accusing the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of using violent tactics against AAP workers in the Kalkaji assembly constituency. Atishi claimed that BJP leader Ramesh Bidhuri and his associates had orchestrated a campaign of “hooliganism,” with BJP supporters threatening AAP workers and destroying campaign materials.
Kejriwal’s Response to BJP’s Tactics
Kejriwal echoed Atishi’s concerns, claiming that such incidents were not limited to Kalkaji but were part of a larger pattern of violence. He suggested that BJP’s resort to such tactics indicated their desperation, as they realized they could not win the election peacefully.
“Any party resorts to violence only when they know they cannot win peacefully,” Kejriwal said, adding that the BJP was headed toward a “historic defeat” in Delhi.
The Political Landscape Ahead of the Election
With the Delhi Assembly elections just two weeks away, the contest is expected to be a three-way battle between the ruling AAP, the opposition BJP, and Congress. Congress, once dominant in Delhi, has seen its support diminish in recent years, failing to win any seats in the 2020 Assembly elections.
In that election, AAP secured a landslide victory, winning 62 out of 70 seats, while BJP managed to win only eight. As the elections approach, the political climate has become increasingly tense, with AAP and BJP engaging in a war of words and accusations.
What’s at Stake in the February 5 Election?
The February 5 elections will be pivotal for all three parties. For AAP, retaining control of Delhi would solidify its position as the dominant force in the region, while a strong showing by the BJP could shift the city’s political dynamics. Congress will be hoping for a resurgence after its recent decline.
The election results, set to be counted on February 8, will have broader implications for Delhi’s political future and could influence national politics as well.
