The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) released its manifesto on Wednesday, prioritizing middle-class welfare ahead of the Delhi assembly elections.
Party chief Arvind Kejriwal outlined a seven-point charter of demands to be included in the Union Budget, emphasizing reforms in education, health, taxation, and senior citizen welfare.
Kejriwal called for increased education spending, suggesting that the allocation be raised from the current 2% to 10% of the Budget, alongside caps on private school fees. He also proposed subsidies and scholarships to make higher education more accessible.
On healthcare, he demanded a 10% health budget allocation and the removal of taxes on health insurance.
To alleviate financial pressure on the middle class, Kejriwal urged the central government to raise the income tax exemption limit from ₹7 lakh to ₹10 lakh and remove GST on essential commodities.
Senior citizens featured prominently in AAP’s agenda, with promises of robust pension schemes, free medical services, and a 50% concession on rail travel. “These measures aim to ease financial burdens and address longstanding issues for the middle class,” Kejriwal said.
Highlighting AAP’s track record, he added, “We’ve used tax revenue to reduce power tariffs, water bills, and improve government hospitals.”
The manifesto launch came amidst escalating tensions with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Delhi Chief Minister Atishi, alongside Kejriwal, accused BJP leader Ramesh Bidhuri’s associates of “hooliganism” against AAP workers in the Kalkaji assembly constituency.
Atishi alleged that individuals claiming to be Bidhuri’s relatives were intimidating AAP workers, burning campaign materials, and creating an atmosphere of “terror.”
“What Atishi described is not isolated to Kalkaji,” Kejriwal added. “This hooliganism shows the BJP’s desperation. They only resort to violence when they see defeat.” He predicted a historic loss for the BJP in Delhi.
The BJP has yet to respond to these allegations. Meanwhile, the Congress, which ruled Delhi for 15 years before AAP’s rise, is also in the fray, though it has faced significant setbacks in the last two elections.
Delhi will vote on February 5, with results to be declared on February 8. The election is expected to be a three-way contest between AAP, BJP, and Congress. AAP swept the 2020 polls, winning 62 out of 70 seats, while BJP secured eight, leaving Congress without a single win.
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