In a major move to capture voter sentiment ahead of the February 5 elections in Delhi, Union Minister JP Nadda today unveiled the first segment of the Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) manifesto, focusing primarily on welfare initiatives aimed at empowering women and ensuring the well-being of senior citizens in the national capital. With the BJP’s eye firmly on the upcoming elections, these promises come as part of the party’s strategic bid to strengthen its appeal in Delhi’s competitive political landscape.

Nadda, who also holds the position of Union Health Minister, made it clear that the welfare of women would be a top priority under a BJP government. In a strategic move to win the hearts of Delhi’s voters, he introduced several financial assistance programs, alongside a significant healthcare initiative aimed at senior citizens.

Welfare Schemes for Women

The BJP’s Sankalp Patra, or manifesto, outlined a slew of initiatives aimed specifically at pregnant women and mothers, which the party sees as crucial to addressing health and social issues faced by women in Delhi. The manifesto promises a one-time financial assistance of Rs 21,000 to pregnant women, along with the provision of six nutritional kits to ensure proper maternal care. The financial commitment is intended to reduce the burden of medical and nutritional costs that many women face during pregnancy, potentially reducing maternal and infant mortality rates.

Additionally, the BJP has pledged financial support for families with children, with Rs 5,000 promised for the first child and Rs 6,000 for the second. This financial backing is aimed at alleviating the financial strain on families, encouraging healthier pregnancies and childhoods, and promoting family well-being in urban areas.

Mahila Smriddhi Yojana: Empowering Women Financially

A standout feature of the manifesto is the Mahila Smriddhi Yojana, a new program that will provide Rs 2,500 per month to women. This scheme is designed to economically empower women and help them achieve financial independence, while also providing some relief in terms of everyday expenses. The initiative aims to address women’s unique challenges, especially in an urban environment like Delhi, where financial pressures can be high.

Nadda’s focus on women’s welfare is expected to resonate with a wide demographic in the capital, from homemakers to working women, who often bear the brunt of economic challenges in the family unit. This promise aligns with the BJP’s broader strategy of social justice and women empowerment.

Healthcare and Pension Schemes: Support for Senior Citizens

The BJP’s manifesto also included critical proposals for senior citizens, who have long been a focal point for the party’s welfare strategies. In a statement that highlighted the BJP’s commitment to healthcare, Nadda confirmed that if the party comes to power in Delhi, it will implement the Ayushman Bharat scheme in its first cabinet meeting. The Ayushman Bharat program, a flagship health insurance scheme of the central government, promises free healthcare services to millions of citizens across India. Despite opposition from the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government, which claims that Delhi’s health schemes are superior, the BJP’s intention is to provide a national standard of healthcare that guarantees medical support for all citizens.

To further cater to the needs of senior citizens, the BJP’s manifesto promises an additional health cover of Rs 5 lakh, effectively raising the total health cover for elderly residents of Delhi to Rs 10 lakh. This is a significant commitment, especially for the growing elderly population in the capital, many of whom face chronic health issues as they age.

Alongside these health provisions, Nadda also announced a pension scheme for senior citizens. Under this scheme, individuals aged 60-70 will receive monthly pensions ranging from Rs 2,000 to Rs 2,500, while those above the age of 70 will get Rs 3,000 per month. For the divyang (disabled) and widows, the pension amount will be increased to Rs 3,000 to help them meet their daily needs. This initiative reflects the BJP’s attempt to provide much-needed financial security to the elderly, ensuring that they can lead their later years with dignity.

Another important promise in the manifesto is the establishment of Atal Canteens in every slum in Delhi. These canteens, aimed at providing affordable meals to the economically disadvantaged, will serve a full meal for just Rs 5. This initiative is part of the BJP’s broader vision of addressing poverty and malnutrition in urban areas, ensuring that all residents, regardless of income, have access to nutritious food.

Criticism of AAP’s Healthcare and Mohalla Clinics

While announcing the BJP’s healthcare commitments, Nadda didn’t hold back in criticizing the current Delhi government, led by the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP). He specifically targeted AAP’s Mohalla Clinics, calling them “dens of corruption and inefficiency.” This statement seems to be a calculated effort to undermine AAP’s claims of providing affordable healthcare through these clinics. By attacking the AAP’s healthcare model, Nadda not only deflects attention from the opposition’s achievements but also positions the BJP as the party of better governance and transparency in Delhi.

The BJP’s manifesto is clearly a calculated effort to appeal to the diverse electorate of Delhi, focusing on crucial issues like women’s welfare, healthcare, and support for senior citizens. The party’s promises of financial assistance for women and increased healthcare support for seniors are likely to be well-received by voters who feel the need for better social support systems. By emphasizing welfare and transparency, the BJP is hoping to make a strong impact on voters as they prepare to head to the polls on February 5.

Whether these promises will be enough to turn the tide in Delhi’s competitive political environment remains to be seen. However, it’s clear that the BJP is trying to frame the upcoming election as a choice between a government that prioritizes public welfare and empowerment and one that allegedly fails to deliver on these fronts. As Delhi’s voters prepare to cast their ballots, these welfare measures are sure to be a key issue in determining which party holds the capital’s reins for the next term.