With Delhi Assembly elections just around the corner, the Congress party has unveiled the ‘Pyari Didi Yojana’, a direct cash transfer scheme aimed at women voters. This announcement comes hot on the heels of Aam Aadmi Party’s (AAP) ‘Mahila Samman Yojana’, sparking a competitive wave of women-centric promises in the political arena.
The Congress initiative was announced by Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar, alongside AICC in-charge Qazi Nizamuddin and Delhi Congress chief Devender Yadav, at the party headquarters in New Delhi. Prominent leaders like Mahila Congress chief Alka Lamba and spokesperson Ragini Nayak were also present, emphasizing the party’s commitment to women empowerment.
Key Features of ‘Pyari Didi Yojana’
Under the scheme, Congress has pledged to provide ₹2,500 per month to women in Delhi if it secures a majority in the upcoming elections. Shivakumar, who played a key role in implementing a similar scheme in Karnataka, expressed confidence in the initiative’s potential to transform the lives of women in the capital.
“Today, I am here to launch the ‘Pyari Didi’ scheme. I am confident that Congress will form the government in Delhi, and we will deliver this promise in the very first cabinet meeting,” Shivakumar stated during the announcement.
AAP’s Competitive Edge
The Congress’s announcement is seen as a direct response to AAP’s ‘Mahila Samman Yojana’, launched by Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal earlier this month. The AAP scheme promises ₹1,000 per month to women aged 18 and above, with a proposed increment to ₹2,100 in the future.
Kejriwal’s AAP has historically dominated Delhi politics with its welfare-centric policies, and the Mahila Samman Yojana aims to consolidate its stronghold on women voters. The Congress’s move signals a shift towards a more aggressive campaign strategy to challenge AAP’s dominance.
Context and Implications
The introduction of schemes targeting women voters has become a pivotal strategy for political parties. Congress’s ‘Pyari Didi Yojana’ draws inspiration from its recent success in Karnataka, where similar initiatives garnered significant electoral support.