What Delhi can look forward to from new AAP govt — Deshbhakti course, more welfare schemes

In its manifesto, AAP has promised 24x7 clean water, better educational facilities, and said it will continue with 200 units of free electricity.

Supporters of Aam Aadmi Party celebrate | Photo: Praveen Jain | ThePrint

New Delhi: With the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) securing a third term in power, Delhi can look forward to a continuation of the party’s flagship welfare schemes with a dash of religious nationalism. 

In its manifesto released on 4 February, AAP had promised to introduce a Deshbhakti (patriotism) curriculum in Delhi government schools, religious pilgrimages or teerth yatras for the city’s elderly, besides continuing with the 200 units of free electricity and 24×7 clean water to every resident of the national capital.  

The city can also expect shops and restaurants to remain open round-the-clock as the party has promised to establish 24×7 markets on a pilot basis in key commercial areas. “This will make Delhi a bustling, 24×7 hospitable city and also contribute to tourism and the overall economy,” the manifesto said.  

“In the last five years, our government has ensured that the people of Delhi get relief when it comes to basic amenities such as schools, electricity and water. The next five years will be about taking Delhi to the next level and making it a modern, world-class city,” Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal had said while releasing the manifesto. 

AAP freebies

The AAP had run its Delhi campaign on its governance model and its freebies, particularly highlighting the ‘Kejriwal Ka Guarantee Card’ that the chief minister released on 2 February.   

The card has 10 promises in all, including a “pollution-free Delhi”, “world-class” educational facilities, better healthcare facilities at Mohalla clinics and better public transport, among others. 

Apart from the card, the Aam Aadmi Party has made 28 other promises in its manifesto that include some of the party’s old agenda such as bringing in a Delhi Jan Lokpal and a Delhi Swaraj Bill, through which it has promised to devolve power to Mohalla Sabhas. 

While the AAP largely focused its campaign on governance issues, it responded to the BJP ratcheting up the ‘nationalistic rhetoric’ by promising to bring in a Deshbhakti curriculum and free pilgrimages for 10 lakh senior citizens over the next five years. 

“Our senior citizens have spent their entire lives in the upbringing of their children. They are hardly able to fulfill their own wishes such as visits to holy sites of pilgrimage,” the manifesto said. “AAP has taken upon itself to fulfil the wishes of senior citizens. We will take 10 lakh senior citizens in Delhi for Teerth Yatras over the next 5 years.” 

Promises for different sections

The AAP manifesto had addressed all sections of society. 

It had promised to ensure new appointments of safai karamcharis according to the “2011 census of Delhi’s population and taking account the rapid expansion of residential colonies in Delhi”.  It has also promised a compensation of Rs 1 crore to families of safai karamcharis “who die while performing duty”.    

The party has also promised to continue with compensation for farmers who suffer crop loss and protection from sealing drives. “We will continue to take all legal and administrative measures to put pressure on the Central government, DDA and MCD to not allow the sealing of industries/shops and ensure that the sealed shops are opened,” the manifesto said. 

AAP has also vowed to introduce a course in spoken English and soft skills for students who have just finished school, create more work-from-home job opportunities for women, and make it easier for people to get OBC certificates and regularisation of contract employees.