The Delhi BJP on Monday assured residents that key public welfare schemes, such as free electricity, water subsidies, and free bus travel for women, would remain in place if the party is voted to power in the 2025 assembly elections. The announcement was made as part of the BJP’s new campaign, ‘Meri Dilli Mera Sankalp BJP’, which seeks public input for its upcoming manifesto.
Addressing a press conference, South Delhi BJP MP Ramvir Singh Bidhuri, convener of the manifesto committee, emphasized the party’s commitment to delivering these schemes more effectively than the current AAP government. “The BJP has decided that all public welfare schemes like electricity and water subsidies and free transportation for women will continue. Once it comes to power, the BJP will deliver it better than before and extend it to new sections of the public,” said Bidhuri.
The campaign aims to counter the perception, propagated by the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), that the BJP would discontinue such schemes if it comes to power. Delhi BJP President Virendra Sachdeva and other leaders echoed the sentiment, highlighting the need to connect with voters on local issues.
A Change in Stance
The BJP’s stance marks a significant shift from its earlier criticism of subsidy-driven policies, which leaders had previously dismissed as “free ki revdi.” A party official explained the change: “In the last two elections, we realized free public welfare schemes played a major role, and AAP gained popularity because of that. People in Delhi vote for BJP in the Lok Sabha polls but for AAP in the assembly polls. Why? Because people do not care about central schemes or national security during assembly polls.”
BJP leaders also accused AAP of misleading voters by claiming the BJP would end these welfare measures. “The BJP will prove AAP wrong,” they asserted.
AAP’s Response
Reacting to the BJP’s announcement, the Aam Aadmi Party remained skeptical, accusing the opposition of hypocrisy. “Even if the BJP mistakenly comes to power in Delhi, they will first end free electricity and free bus travel for women… The BJP has previously opposed both these schemes of the AAP government and has been unable to provide free electricity and free bus travel in any of the 20 states they govern,” the AAP said in a statement.
The BJP’s commitment to these welfare measures is seen as a strategic move to erode the AAP’s voter base, particularly among women and lower-income groups who have benefited from the subsidies. As the 2025 elections approach, both parties are gearing up for a high-stakes battle over the future of public welfare in Delhi.