AAP trying to hijack Centre's healthcare scheme: BJP MLA

Vijender Gupta, BJP MLA and Leader of Opposition in the Delhi Assembly, on Thursday accused the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP)-led government of renaming the Central government's health insurance Scheme, though the city government refused the charge.

"With just three weeks for rollout of the Central government's Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Abhiyan on September 25, the AAP government is trying to put obstacles in its implementation," Gupta said.

"With the motive of taking full political credit for the centrally-sponsored scheme, it (Delhi government) wants the name of the scheme to be Mukhya Mantri Aam Aadmi Swasthaya Beema Yojna - Ayushman Bharat," he said.

The Leader of Opposition also said that "the negative and narrow-minded attitude of AAP makes it put party above the welfare of poor".

However, sources in the Delhi government rejected any such demand.

"Talks are going on with the Centre, but we are not pressing for any such demand like name change," an AAP leader told IANS.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his Independence Day speech had announced that the healthcare initiative to give medical insurance cover to 50 crore Indians will roll out from September 25, the 102nd birth anniversary of Bharatiya Jana Sangh founder Deendayal Upadhyay.

--IANS

nks/nir