Arvind Kejriwal (left) and J P Nadda.
Credit: PTI Photos
New Delhi: Assuring that no schemes of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government will be stopped, BJP on Friday unveiled the first part of its manifesto for the Delhi Assembly Elections, promising a monthly allowance of Rs 2,500 to women, Rs five lakh health insurance scheme and ‘Atal Canteens’ serving meals at Rs five in slum clusters.
The party also promised LPG cylinders at Rs 500, an increase of Rs 500 in elderly pension, financial assistance of Rs 21,000 and six nutrition kits for every pregnant woman. The part one of 'Sankalp Patra' was released by party chief JP Nadda.
Responding to the promises made by BJP in its manifesto, AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal said the safron party has now accepted that AAP schemes' utility by saying they would continue with its scheme if it wins and Prime Minister Narendra Modi should now accept that he was "wrong" in criticising him for providing "freebies".
"The BJP has repeatedly said that Kejriwal gives away freebies handouts, but today the BJP's national president announced that they too will provide freebies to the people of Delhi...Modi-ji should come forward and assure he consents to these (BJP) promises. He should tell I was right in providing free handouts...The BJP manifesto only promises what the AAP is already offering. Then why should people vote for them?" he said.
Addressing a press conference, Nadda said a government led by the BJP would eliminate all scope of corruption in "AAP-DA" (disaster created by AAP).
He said the BJP promises Rs 2,500 monthly allowance for women under 'Mahila Samridhi Yojana', surpassing the AAP's poll promise of Rs 2,100 and equalling Congress' Rs 2,500. The BJP also promised LPG cylinders at Rs 500 for the poor section, with one free cylinder to be provided on Holi and Diwali.
Another promise promised Rs 2,500 pension for senior citizens (increase from Rs 2,000) between the age of 60-70 and Rs 3,000 (increase from Rs 2,500) for those older than 70, widows, and persons with disabilities.
Nadda said a BJP government in Delhi would roll out Ayushman Bharat scheme, which provides Rs five lakh, and along with this, they would provide a health insurance of another Rs five lakh.
Alleging that mohalla clinics started by AAP government as "dens of corruption and inefficiency", he said there has been a scam of Rs 300 crore and this will be investigated when a BJP government is formed.
Seeking to woo slum dwellers, he said 'Atal Canteens' will be set up in slum clusters to provide nutritious meals at Rs 5. He alleged that AAP government had announced setting up 100 'Aam Aadmi' (common man) canteens years ago but none of them were started.