The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Tuesday promised free education for the needy from kindergarten (KG) to post-graduation (PG) at government institutes in its second phase of election manifesto released for Delhi Assembly polls.
It may be recalled that this was the promise given by BRS chief K Chandrasekhar Rao ahead of the 2014 elections in Telangana. Though he had won in two successive elections, he failed to perform the same.
Earlier, after releasing the first phase of the election manifesto last week by the BJP, AAP national convener Aravind Kejriwal claimed that the BJP has copied most of his promises.
The BJP also promised financial assistance for competitive exams, a scholarship scheme for Scheduled Caste (SC) students, and a Special Investigation Team to probe the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP)’s government’s “corruption cases”.
Former Union minister Anurag Thakur released the “Sankalpa Patra-2” at the BJP headquarters promising “a developed Delhi in the next five years.” BJP chief JP Nadda launched the first part of the manifesto last Friday.
Thakur said the BJP governments have prioritised public welfare schemes across India. He referred to Nadda’s views regarding the developed Delhi Resolution 2025. Thakur added a developed Delhi has an important role when they imagine a developed India.
The BJP has promised monthly Rs. 1,000 to SC students under the Dr BR Ambedkar Stipend Scheme. “Under this scheme, students of ITIs [Industrial Training Institutes], skill centres, and polytechnics will get a Rs. 1000 monthly stipend to help them study and improve their skills.”
The BJP has also proposed the formation of an Auto-Taxi Driver Welfare Board, promising Rs 10 lakh life insurance and Rs 5 lakh accident insurance for drivers. Similarly, a welfare board for domestic workers is on the cards, with the same insurance benefits.
On January 17, Union Minister and BJP national president JP Nadda released the first part of the party’s manifesto. It included assurances of continuing existing welfare schemes and new promises like a monthly pension of Rs 2,500 for senior citizens aged 60-70 and Rs 3,000 for those above 70.
For women, the party introduced the Matru Suraksha Vandana scheme, offering six nutrition kits and Rs 21,000 to every pregnant woman. The BJP, which last ruled Delhi 27 years ago, has struggled in previous Assembly elections, securing only three and eight seats in 2015 and 2020, respectively.