Delhi Polls: Kejriwal Announces ‘Gamechanger’ Free Electricity, Water Scheme For Tenants

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Last Updated:January 18, 2025, 13:28 IST
Kejriwal assured that if AAP is voted to power, it will ensure free electricity and water for tenants, which he said will be extremely beneficial for “our Purvanchal brothers”.
Former Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal announcing a new scheme for tenants. (PTI Image)
With weeks left to go for the Delhi Assembly elections, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) national convenor Arvind Kejriwal on Saturday announced a series of guarantees for tenants in the national capital, including free electricity and water.
“Across Delhi, we have provided free electricity and water to residents. However, it is unfortunate that tenants do not get these benefits. Today, I want to announce that after the elections, if our government is formed, we will introduce a system ensuring tenants also receive free electricity and water,” he said during a press conference today.
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Kejriwal did not elaborate on why tenants do not receive these benefits. He said that tenants have often praised Delhi’s schools, hospitals and free bus services, but they have expressed anguish over not receiving free electricity and water services that other residents get.
VIDEO | Delhi elections: Here’s what AAP national convenor Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) said announcing free electricity and water for tenants:“Across Delhi, we have provided free electricity and water to residents. However, it is unfortunate that tenants do not get these… pic.twitter.com/Cnzn0o7yp6
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) January 18, 2025
This guarantee came a day after the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) released the first part of its election manifesto on Friday for the Delhi Assembly polls. The “Sankalp Patra” by BJP president JP Nadda promised Rs 21,000 for pregnant women, implementation of Ayushman Bharat scheme and increase of senior citizen pensions.
“All the schemes which are running in Delhi will continue under BJP in Delhi. We will eliminate all scopes of corruption on which the AAPda party thrives. We made 500 promises in 2014, we delivered 499. In 2019, we made 235, we completed 225.,” Nadda said.
Seeking a third consecutive term, the AAP has built its campaign around its welfare initiatives, presenting free utilities and improved public services as its core strengths.
Kejriwal’s Focus On Purvanchalis
Speaking further, he said, “I want to congratulate all tenants. This will be a huge step. Most tenants in Delhi are from Purvanchal, who are very poor. They are greatly affected when they don’t receive government subsidies.” He also said the scheme would be greatly beneficial for “our Purvanchali brothers”.
Kejriwal’s latest outreach can be seen as an effort to gain Purvanchali votes, which became the latest flashpoint in the tussle between the AAP and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) after the latter accused Kejriwal of insulting the community. The former Delhi CM had accused the party of getting Purvanchali and Dalit names deleted from electoral rolls.
The term ‘Purvanchali’ refers to people from East UP and Bihar, who contribute significantly to Delhi’s population and can influence the outcome of the upcoming elections. A large share of the community lives in unauthorised colonies across the national capital, leading a race between the two major parties to woo voters.
Earlier, Kejriwal and CM Atishi met the Election Commissioners on Thursday and alleged that there is some “wrongdoing” in the voter lists. Kejriwal alleged that the people from Uttar Pradesh and Bihar are being brought in to “create fake votes”, prompting strong reactions from BJP leaders, some of whom who protested outside his residence citing insulyt to the Purvanchali community.
Location : First Published:January 18, 2025, 12:44 IST
News elections Delhi Polls: Kejriwal Announces ‘Gamechanger’ Free Electricity, Water Scheme For Tenants