In a strategic move to strengthen its campaign for the upcoming Delhi Assembly elections, the Delhi BJP has proposed the introduction of a welfare scheme similar to the Ladli Behna Yojana in Madhya Pradesh and the Ladki Bahin Yojana in Maharashtra. According to Indian Express party insiders, the state unit has formally suggested this initiative to its national leadership, aiming to resonate with women voters in the Capital.
During its Budget earlier this year, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) had announced the Mahila Samman Rashi scheme, a promise of a ₹1,000 monthly payout to eligible women beneficiaries. However, the scheme remains stalled following the arrest of then-Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal. Despite an allocation of ₹2,000 crore in the ₹76,000 crore state budget, the draft is yet to receive approval from the Council of Ministers.
Sources from The Indian Express indicate that the BJP’s proposal for a women-centric scheme is part of its deliberations within organisational and election management committees. “This is a significant suggestion from the state unit regarding the party manifesto for the Delhi elections,” a senior BJP leader said. Final approval is awaited from the party’s national headquarters, and the BJP manifesto is expected to be announced by late December or early January.
The BJP is also countering AAP’s allegations of plans to discontinue subsidies on power, water, and public transportation. South Delhi MP and BJP manifesto committee convener Ramvir Singh Bidhuri clarified that a BJP-led government would retain these subsidies while introducing new welfare measures.
“Alongside continuing subsidies, the BJP is committed to implementing the Ayushman Bharat scheme, which the AAP government had blocked for years,” another BJP leader stated. The party is reportedly considering a higher payout under its women-centric scheme than AAP’s ₹1,000 proposal.
The BJP’s women-focused initiative takes cues from successful models in other states. Maharashtra’s Ladki Bahin scheme significantly contributed to the BJP-NCP-Shiv Sena Mahayuti’s Assembly victory, while Jharkhand’s INDIA bloc government attributed its re-election to the implementation of the Maiya Samman Yojana.
With welfare schemes proving pivotal in recent elections, both BJP and AAP are positioning themselves to capture the critical women voter base in Delhi. The battle for the Capital is expected to intensify as each party unveils its promises in the weeks ahead.