Arvind Kejriwal unveils AAP’s 7-point manifesto for the ‘middle class’ in Delhi election

AAP Releases Manifesto Focusing on Middle Class Ahead of Delhi Elections

The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) released its manifesto on Wednesday, focusing on the middle class, as Delhi prepares for the upcoming assembly election. AAP’s national convenor, Arvind Kejriwal, unveiled the manifesto, which also included seven key demands from the central government before the Union Budget.

Key Demands from AAP

Arvind Kejriwal made the following demands to the central government:

1. Increase Education Budget: The education budget should rise from 2% to 10%.
2. Capping Private School Fees: Private school fees should be controlled.
3. Subsidies for Higher Education: Subsidies and scholarships for higher education should be provided.
4. Increase Health Budget: The health budget should be raised to 10%, and taxes on health insurance should be removed.
5. Income Tax Exemption: The income tax exemption limit should be increased to ₹10 lakh from ₹7 lakh.
6. GST on Essential Goods: GST should be removed from essential commodities.
7. Senior Citizens’ Benefits: Senior citizens should get free medical services in all government and private hospitals. They should also receive a 50% concession in rail travel.

Kejriwal also highlighted the work done by AAP to support the middle class, such as using tax money for education, protecting the middle class from inflation, reducing power and water bills, and improving government hospital infrastructure.

AAP Accuses BJP of Violence in Delhi Election Campaign

During a news conference, Delhi Chief Minister Atishi and Kejriwal accused Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Ramesh Bidhuri and his supporters of “hooliganism” against AAP workers. Atishi claimed that BJP workers and individuals, who called themselves the “nephews” of Ramesh Bidhuri, were threatening AAP members, damaging their campaign materials, and causing unrest in the Kalkaji assembly constituency.

Atishi called for action from the Election Commission of India (ECI), stating that the situation in Kalkaji was one of “terror.” She described how AAP workers were being harassed and their campaign materials were being destroyed.

Kejriwal Reacts to the Situation

Kejriwal joined the press conference and extended the accusations beyond Kalkaji, stating that BJP’s violence was not limited to just one constituency. He said, “BJP resorts to violence only when they know they cannot win peacefully. BJP is heading for a historic defeat in Delhi.”

Delhi Election Update

As the February 5 election date approaches, the rivalry between AAP and BJP continues to heat up. The results will be counted on February 8. The election is expected to be a three-way contest, with AAP, BJP, and Congress in the fray. Congress, which had been in power in Delhi for 15 years, has struggled in recent elections and failed to win a seat in the last two assembly elections.

In the 2020 election, AAP won 62 out of 70 seats, while BJP managed to secure only 8 seats.

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