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The upcoming Delhi Assembly elections in February 2025 are shaping up to be a fiercely contested three-way battle between the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), and the Indian National Congress. Arvind Kejriwal, the national convenor of AAP and Delhi's current Chief Minister, has launched his party's election manifesto, a bold set of 15 guarantees aimed at securing another term in office. This manifesto, dubbed 'Kejriwal's pakki guarantees,' promises significant changes to the lives of Delhi's citizens, focusing primarily on economic relief and social welfare programs. Kejriwal directly challenged the BJP, accusing them of making empty promises during past elections and contrasting his own commitment to delivering on his pledges. This strategy of highlighting the BJP's unfulfilled promises forms a central component of the AAP's election campaign, aiming to establish AAP's credibility and reliability in the eyes of the electorate.
The core of Kejriwal's guarantees revolves around providing financial assistance to various segments of Delhi's population. The most prominent promise is the Mahila Samman Yojana, which guarantees a monthly payment of Rs 2,100 to every woman in Delhi. This substantial financial injection, along with other proposed schemes, aims to directly alleviate the financial burden on households, particularly lower-income families. Another key component is a comprehensive plan to address unemployment, a critical concern in Delhi. Kejriwal vowed to implement a robust job creation strategy, leveraging the expertise of his team to formulate effective solutions. The plan acknowledges the prevalence of educated unemployed individuals and promises to proactively address this issue, a significant departure from previous government policies deemed unsuccessful. Beyond direct financial assistance, the manifesto includes the Sanjeevani Yojana, which offers free healthcare for senior citizens over 60 years old, representing a significant expansion of the existing healthcare infrastructure and its accessibility.
The AAP’s manifesto is not limited to new initiatives but also includes the continuation of several existing welfare programs that have become central to their governance. The continuation of free electricity up to 200 units, free water, free education, and the highly lauded mohalla clinics are explicitly highlighted, emphasizing their role in providing a safety net for Delhi's citizens. The continuation of these existing schemes highlights the AAP's commitment to sustaining their impact on the lives of ordinary Delhi residents. Kejriwal cleverly leverages the financial benefits of these existing policies, claiming that they save residents roughly Rs 25,000 per month collectively. This powerful message emphasizes the tangible improvements in the lives of Delhi residents under AAP's rule and directly contrasts this with the potential loss of these benefits if the BJP were to win the election. This calculation aims to persuade voters to perceive the AAP as the party that directly improves their financial well-being, and that voting for other parties would represent a significant loss in their financial security.
However, the manifesto isn't without its caveats. Kejriwal openly acknowledged the failure to fulfil past promises regarding the cleaning of the Yamuna river and the construction of roads to European standards, attributing the shortcomings to the challenges presented by the COVID-19 pandemic and legal battles faced by several key members of his party. This candid admission, although potentially risky, presents an attempt at transparency, acknowledging past shortcomings while promising renewed commitment to achieving these goals in a future term. The act of publicly acknowledging shortcomings and offering a renewed commitment could be viewed as a tactic to maintain trust with voters. It showcases that while mistakes were made, the desire to improve remains steadfast. This approach represents a risky strategy that relies on the electorate's acceptance of these explanations and a willingness to grant them another opportunity.
The overarching theme of Kejriwal's manifesto is a focus on providing immediate and tangible benefits to the citizens of Delhi. The detailed list of guarantees, from financial assistance schemes to infrastructural improvements, is clearly aimed at capturing the attention of voters. The detailed outline of the promises, coupled with a direct appeal to the voters' financial well-being, and the candid admission of past failures, points to a sophisticated electoral strategy. The final week of the election campaign will see a significant push for these guarantees, and the success of this strategy hinges on whether the electorate is persuaded by this combination of concrete promises and a self-aware appraisal of past performance. The outcome of the election will ultimately reveal whether this strategy resonates with the voters and secures another term for Kejriwal and the AAP.