Delhi Election: BJP Promises Rs 2,500 Monthly To Women To Counter Congress' And AAP's Freebies, Gas Cylinder At Rs 500

In their manifesto for the Delhi assembly elections released on Friday (17 January), the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) pledged to provide monthly assistance of Rs 2,500 to women and Rs 21,000 to expectant mothers.

Notably, the opposition Congress has also promised a Rs 2,500 monthly handout for women, while the ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has promised to give Rs 2,100 to women every month.

The BJP manifesto, unveiled by Union Health Minister and party president, Jagat Prakash Nadda, pledged to provide LPG cylinders at Rs 500 to underprivileged women in Delhi.

A free cylinder each on Holi and Diwali will also be given. The BJP has also pledged to establish Atal Canteens within jhuggi-jhopdi (JJ) clusters, aiming to offer nutritious meals at a cost of Rs 5.

The BJP has pledged to provide a pension of Rs 2,500 for senior citizens aged between 60 and 70, and a higher pension of Rs 3,000 for those who are over 70 years old.

“Back in 2020, we made 500 promises, and we delivered 499—achieving 99.99 per cent completion. In 2019, we pledged 235 promises and fulfilled 225, with the rest in the implementation stage, reaching 95.5 per cent completion," Nadda said.

He emphasised that the BJP's key focus is welfare, good governance, development, women's empowerment, and farmers' progress."Our 'Sankalp Patra' is the foundation for developed Delhi," he added.

Notably, rumours were being spread by AAP that the BJP would end all welfare schemes started by Arvind Kejriwal if it came to power. Clarifying on this matter, Nadda said, "All existing welfare schemes will continue."

The voting for Delhi's 70 assembly seats will be held on 5 February and the results will be declared on 8 February. Last time, in 2020, the BJP could win only eight seats, while the AAP won 62.