BJP Delhi MP and head of the party’s election manifesto committee, Ramvir Singh Bidhuri, announced on Monday that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) will continue its popular free schemes if the party wins the upcoming Delhi Assembly elections. These schemes include 200 units of free electricity, 2,000 liters of free water, and free bus travel for women. Furthermore, the BJP plans to enhance these benefits and introduce the Ayushman Bharat scheme in its first cabinet meeting.
Addressing the media, Bidhuri dismissed claims made by the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) that the BJP would abolish these free schemes, calling them part of “false propaganda” by Arvind Kejriwal and other AAP leaders. He reassured Delhi residents that these facilities would not only remain but would be better implemented to serve the public’s needs more effectively.
Bidhuri also took the opportunity to criticize the current AAP-led government, alleging that essential services like water quality were severely lacking. Citing the Delhi Jal Board’s own data, he noted that 40% of the city’s residents lacked access to clean water, with 2,500 out of 7,500 water samples failing quality tests. He also highlighted the high water charges, claiming residents were being overcharged for both residential and commercial connections.
Regarding electricity, Bidhuri pointed out that domestic electricity rates in Delhi are among the highest in the country, with consumers paying Rs 9 per unit for domestic use and as much as Rs 17-18 per unit for commercial usage. He contrasted this with the national average, where electricity rates are generally lower.
The BJP MP further criticized the Delhi government for failing to deliver on its promise of adding 15,000 buses to the city’s fleet. “Not a single bus has been added to the DTC fleet in the last decade,” he claimed, adding that the 1,600 electric buses currently in operation were part of a central government initiative, not a result of AAP’s promises.
In a bid to ensure inclusivity, Bidhuri outlined the BJP’s approach to crafting its election manifesto, which will involve consulting various sections of society, including youth, women, senior citizens, traders, and religious and social organizations.
Starting December 7, the BJP will launch a public outreach initiative with 14 video vans traveling across all districts of Delhi to gather suggestions for the manifesto. People can share their ideas via email at [email protected] or through WhatsApp at 9958702025. The campaign will also use the hashtag #BJPSankalp2025 on social media to engage citizens.
Bidhuri concluded the press conference by emphasizing the comprehensive nature of the BJP’s manifesto preparation process, which aims to reflect the needs and aspirations of all Delhiites.
The manifesto committee, which is responsible for drafting the party’s election blueprint, includes senior BJP leaders such as Meenakshi Lekhi, Pravesh Sahib Singh Verma, Satish Upadhyay, Ajay Mahawar, and Abhishek Tandon, among others.