Delhi Election: Arvind Kejriwal Unveils AAP’s 7-Point Agenda for the Middle Class

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The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) launched its manifesto for the upcoming Delhi assembly elections on Wednesday, with a strong focus on welfare measures for the middle class. AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal presented a seven-point proposal to the central government, urging the inclusion of these demands in the upcoming Union Budget.

Kejriwal called for the central government’s budget to place a higher priority on the middle class, with key proposals spanning across sectors like education, healthcare, taxation, and senior citizen welfare. He outlined the following demands:

  1. Increased Education Budget: Raise education spending to 10% of the Budget, a significant increase from the current 2%, and impose caps on private school fees.
  2. Support for Higher Education: Introduce scholarships and subsidies to make higher education more affordable.
  3. Boost Health Funding: Increase the health budget to 10% and eliminate taxes on health insurance premiums.
  4. Tax Reforms: Raise the income tax exemption limit from ₹7 lakh to ₹10 lakh.
  5. Relief on Essential Goods: Remove the GST on essential commodities.
  6. Senior Citizens’ Welfare: Implement robust retirement plans, pension schemes, and free medical services at all public hospitals.
  7. Travel Concessions: Provide a 50% rail travel discount for senior citizens.

Kejriwal emphasized that these demands are designed to alleviate the financial strain on the middle class and address long-standing issues in education, healthcare, and the welfare of senior citizens. “We aim to use taxpayers’ money to protect the middle class from rising costs and inflation. We have already reduced power tariffs and water bills and improved government hospitals’ infrastructure,” he said.

The manifesto launch was followed by a press conference where Kejriwal and Delhi chief minister Atishi accused BJP leader Ramesh Bidhuri and his associates of using “hooliganism” against AAP workers. Atishi claimed that BJP supporters were creating an atmosphere of “terror” in the Kalkaji assembly constituency, threatening AAP workers and destroying campaign materials.

Kejriwal joined in, asserting that such actions were not confined to Kalkaji but were part of a broader pattern of BJP violence. He stated, “A party resorts to violence only when it senses an inevitable defeat. BJP is heading for a historic loss in Delhi.”

As Delhi’s election date approaches, the contest between AAP, BJP, and Congress intensifies. The city will vote on February 5, with the results to be counted on February 8. AAP is expected to face stiff competition from BJP and Congress, which has struggled to regain its footing since its long tenure in power.

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