BJP announces freebies for Delhi; Kejriwal says it’s copy of AAP’s welfare schemes

The BJP in its manifesto for the Delhi election on Friday announced a slew of welfare schemes, especially for women, which includes a monthly aid of Rs 2,500 to them in case it is voted to power.

The party's Sankalp Patra was released by president JP Nadda here. "The manifesto will keep the foundation of a developed Delhi," Nadda said.

Interestingly, BJP rivals -- AAP and Congress -- have also announced similar schemes in the past. While AAP has promised to give Rs 2,100 per month to women, the Congress had vowed to give Rs 2,500 per month.

The BJP chief said all public welfare schemes running in Delhi would continue if the BJP government is formed and they would be strengthened. "Bus travel has been made free but how many buses have been increased? We will strengthen it and increase the number of buses," Nadda said.

Reacting to it, Arvind Kejriwal said it was just a copy of AAP's welfare schemes. He asked the BJP leadership to publicly acknowledge that welfare measures like free electricity, water and bus service are a boon to the people.

“The BJP’s manifesto can be summed up in one line: ‘Arvind Kejriwal’s work is good, and we will continue it,’” he remarked, pointing to the BJP’s alleged failure to address critical issues such as law and order, housing for jhuggi dwellers, and registries for residents of unauthorised colonies.

Kejriwal said the prime minister had repeatedly criticised him for distributing freebies but the BJP had themselves announced freebies in the election.

Another women-centric scheme announced by the BJP is giving LPG cylinders at a discounted price of Rs 500 to women from poor families and one free cylinder each on Holi and Diwali.

Nadda said the BJP government is fully committed to maternal safety and nutrition. "The central government has already set an example of women empowerment by increasing the maternity leave from 12 weeks to 26 weeks in 2017," the party president said.

On the same lines, the BJP has decided to provide six nutritional kits and assistance of Rs 21,000 to every pregnant woman in Delhi under the Chief Minister Matritva Suraksha Yojana, he said.

To provide medical care to the people of Delhi, the BJP announced to implement the central government's Ayushman Bharat Yojana to provide free treatment up to Rs 5 lakh, with the state government providing an additional Rs 5 lakh cover for all low-income households.

As per the manifesto, the senior citizens who have attained the age of 70 will receive free OPD and diagnostic services, as well as free treatment up to Rs 10 lakh.

The party has also vowed to increase the senior citizens’ pension for people aged between 60 and 70 from Rs 2,000 to Rs 2,500 and for senior citizens above 70, widows, divyang and destitutes to Rs 3,000.

The BJP has decided to launch ‘Atal Canteens’ to provide nutritious meals at Rs 5.