New Delhi, Jan 27 (UNI) Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) National Convener Arvind Kejriwal unveiled his party’s manifesto on Monday, promising 15 key guarantees, including employment and the Women's Dignity Scheme, stating that it represents 'Kejriwal’s Guarantee' to the people of Delhi.
He also expressed confidence that the people of Delhi would once again choose the broom.
Releasing the manifesto, Kejriwal promised 15 key guarantees to be fulfilled in the next five years, including employment for youth, the Women's Dignity Scheme, Sanjeevani and Priest-Granthi schemes, waiving incorrect water bills, Dr. Ambedkar Scholarship, free bus travel for students, and a 50% discount on metro fares.
Additionally, ongoing benefits such as free electricity, water, education, healthcare, free bus travel for women, and pilgrimage for senior citizens will continue.
“Every family is saving Rs 25,000 per month under the AAP government. If the lotus button is pressed, this burden will increase,” the former CM warned.
“Today, we are presenting the 'Kejriwal's Guarantee' for the Delhi Assembly election. Kejriwal’s guarantee means a promise that will be fulfilled. Unlike others, who call it a ‘manifesto’ or use other terms, we know their promises are fake. During the Lok Sabha election, Prime Minister Narendra Modi promised Rs 15 lakh for every citizen. A year later, Home Minister Amit Shah called it an electoral gimmick,” he said.
The AAP National Convenor accused the BJP and Congress of making empty election promises. “Other parties announce schemes under different names, but they remain hollow. We introduced the term 'guarantee,' and now they have started using it too. However, this is Kejriwal’s guarantee, not Modi’s guarantee,” he said.
Kejriwal highlighted that according to central government data, Delhi has the lowest unemployment rate in the country. “While the national unemployment rate is around 6%, Delhi’s is approximately 2%.
However, even one unemployed person is too many. We want to ensure zero unemployment in Delhi, he said.
“It pains us when educated youth are sitting at home without work. Delhi’s 2.5 crore people are my family, and it feels like a family member is unemployed when we cannot arrange jobs for them. We are making comprehensive plans with leaders like Manish Sisodia, Atishi, Sanjay Singh, Raghav Chadha, Gopal Rai, Saurabh Bhardwaj, and Satyendra Jain to provide employment to every youth in Delhi,” the former CM added.
He assured that once the government is formed, Rs 2,100 per month will be deposited into every woman’s bank account as part of the Women's Dignity Scheme, which will be implemented as a priority.
Addressing health concerns of senior citizens, Kejriwal said, “After turning 60, many elders worry about healthcare. Let me assure you that as long as I am alive, I will ensure the best treatment for you, whether in government or private hospitals. All expenses will be borne by the Delhi government.”
The AAP National Convenor also criticized the current handling of water bills, stating, “Until a year ago, everyone’s water bills in Delhi were zero. Then a conspiracy was hatched to send us all to jail one by one. When I came out and interacted with the public, I discovered that people had received water bills amounting to thousands of rupees, all of which were incorrect. Those who have received erroneous bills do not need to pay them. After forming the government, all incorrect bills will be waived.”
“Three major guarantees made during the 2020 elections remain unfulfilled: ensuring a 24-hour supply of clean water to every household, cleaning the Yamuna River, and transforming Delhi's roads into world-class infrastructure,” Kejriwal underlined.
“In 2020, I gave these guarantees to the people of Delhi. However, our government was formed in February 2020, and within a month, COVID-19 struck. For two and a half years, the pandemic disrupted everything. Later, false cases were lodged against us, and we were embroiled in legal battles. Now, we are past all these obstacles. These three promises are not just the dreams of Delhi’s citizens but also mine. We have the funds and a full-fledged plan to deliver 24-hour clean water to every home, clean the Yamuna, and make Delhi's roads world-class,” he said.
The former Chief Minister also announced the implementation of the Dr. Ambedkar Scholarship Scheme, stating, “We do not want any Dalit child to be deprived of their dreams due to financial constraints. Under this scheme, any Dalit student admitted to a foreign university will have all expenses, including travel, accommodation, and meals, covered by the Delhi government.”
He added that, like women, students will also be entitled to free bus travel, and metro fares will be reduced by 50%. Under the Priest and Granthi Scheme, priests will receive Rs 18,000 per month. AAP also plans to extend the benefits of free electricity and water to tenants by introducing a new system.
Kejriwal addressed Delhi’s sewer issues, stating, “Blocked and overflowing sewers in various areas will be cleared within 15 days of forming the government. Old sewer lines will be replaced within a year and a half. Additionally, new ration cards will be issued to ensure free ration benefits for the poor.”
“Special benefits for auto, taxi, and e-rickshaw drivers, including Rs 1 lakh for their daughters’ weddings, free coaching for their children, Rs 10 lakh in life insurance, and Rs 5 lakh in health insurance,” he said.
On improving law and order, Kejriwal blamed the BJP-led central government for the poor state of affairs but highlighted AAP’s initiatives, including the installation of CCTV cameras and streetlights in Delhi. “We are taking another step by providing funds to all RWAs (Resident Welfare Associations) to hire private security guards,” the AAP National Convenor said.
Kejriwal emphasized that these are 15 new guarantees in addition to the six ongoing benefits, which include 24-hour free electricity, free water, free quality education, free pilgrimage for senior citizens, free bus travel for women, and free healthcare through an expanded network of hospitals and Mohalla Clinics.
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