Page 17 - Delhi Assembly Elections

BJP says Delhi will be 'Kejriwal free' on Feb 8, AAP banks on schemes

Arvind Kejriwal led AAP's campaign on the plank of welfare schemes and emphasised that his party's 'model of governance' focuses on providing 24-hour free electricity to the poor

Welfare schemes alone no guarantee for votes, delivery and finances matter

Beneficiaries of such programmes give credit to central govt, but study finds poor service delivery, financial well-being influence voting pattern, writes ARCHIS MOHAN

Delhi polls: BJP steps up campaign as top leaders reach out to voters

With less than a fortnight to go for the polling day in Delhi, the BJP stepped up its campaign on Sunday as it organised 20 public meetings which were addressed by top leaders including Amit Shah, Shivraj Singh Chouhan, Hardeep Puri and Smriti Irani. Over 100 organisational meetings and door-to-door campaigns were held by the party across the city, said a Delhi BJP statement. Union Home Minister Amit Shah addressed a rally in Narela and call on the voters to bring back the BJP to power in Delhi. Party leaders Arjun Ram Meghwal, Anurag Thakur, Manoj Tiwari, and Ravi Kishan also addressed public meetings in different constituencies. BJP candidates conducted door-to-door campaigns in all 70 assembly constituencies, directly interacting with over 70,000 families, Delhi BJP president Virendra Sachdeva said, who addressed five organisational meetings and women's conference. AAP convenor Arvind Kejriwal will "deceive" Delhi women just as he did in Punjab, but the BJP will serve them in D

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BJP promises to free Delhi of illegal immigrants, including Rohingyas: Shah

Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Sunday described AAP as 'Aawaidh Aamdaniwali Party', and alleged that it did nothing but spread lies to get votes and indulged in corruption under Arvind Kejriwal's leadership during its 10-year rule in Delhi. Addressing a public meeting in the Narela Assembly constituency, Shah exhorted people to dislodge the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) from power to end its "misrule", vowing that the BJP will fulfil all its poll promises, make Delhi the world's number one capital, and also free the city from illegal Bangladeshi immigrants and Rohingiyas if it gets the mandate in next month's elections. Addresing a public meeting in the city on Saturday, Shah had accused the AAP government of sheltering illegal Bangladeshi immigrants and Rohingiyas with the help of the district administration under its control. "Kejriwal only told lies to get votes... AAP means 'Awaidh Aamdaniwali Party' (party which makes illegal income)," he said on Sunday while campaigning for BJP ...

BJP made living hell of constituencies it won in 2020: Arvind Kejriwal

Aam Aadmi Party National Convenor Arvind Kejriwal on sunday accused the BJP of obstructing development work in the city during his over 10-year tenure in Delhi, turning a "living hell" of the constituencies it won. He made the remark at a janasabha in Jangpura constituency while canvassing for party candidate Manish Sisodia for the Delhi Assembly elections scheduled for February 5. "Last time, BJP won eight assembly constituencies. They did not let any work happen in their areas. All eight of them made their assembly a living hell. You people should not make such a mistake even by mistake," Kejriwal said. He appealed to voters to send Sisodia to the assembly, saying he and his former deputy together made government schools excellent for the better future of their children. "Now BJP people are saying that if their government is formed, they will close all the government schools here too. It is up to you to choose AAP, which builds government schools, or BJP, which closes them," the

Smriti Irani campaigns for BJP's Manish Chaudhary in Okhla, targets AAP

BJP leader and former Union minister Smriti Irani addressed a public meeting in Okhla on Sunday, urging people to vote for the party's candidate Manish Chaudhary in the February 5 elections. Addressing a large gathering, Irani called on the people to press the 'lotus' symbol on the ballot on February 5. Irani, who is also scheduled to address a public meeting in Rohini later, criticised the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government for "failing to deliver' on key promises made to the residents of Delhi. She accused AAP of not providing basic services, such as clean drinking water and quality healthcare, despite these being central to their election promises. "AAP had promised the people of Delhi clean water and efficient healthcare services, but these promises remain unfulfilled," said Irani, adding, "The people of Delhi deserve better, and it is time to make a change." During her speech, Irani outlined the BJP's guarantees for the citizens of Delhi, highlighting key welfare measures that

Misgovernance under Arvind Kejriwal will end on February 8: Amit Shah

The AAP is eyeing a third term, while the BJP is leaving no stone unturned to wrest back power from the ruling party. The counting of votes is set for February 8. A total of 699 candidates are there

'BJP planning to end welfare schemes': Kejriwal's charge on freebies debate

Arvind Kejriwal says Delhi polls a battle of two ideologies, accuses BJP of giving 'freebies to corporates'

Focus on women-centric schemes dominates Delhi poll campaign amid concerns

Ahead of Delhi Assembly Elections, experts have highlighted the growing focus on women-centric schemes signalling a deeper acknowledgment of women's critical role in shaping electoral outcomes. However, experts have also raised concerns about the sustainability and long-term consequences of relying on populist measures to secure their support. With women accounting for nearly half of Delhi's electorate, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), and Congress have prioritized women-focused promises in their campaigns. The BJP's Mahila Samridhi Yojana pledges Rs 2,500 per month to women voters, along with a Rs 21,000 maternity benefit and a Rs 500 subsidy on LPG cylinders. Similarly, AAP has promised Rs 2,100 per month for women, while Congress has floated its 'Pyari Didi Yojana' with Rs 2,500 monthly cash transfers. While these announcements align with a broader trend in Indian politics, reflected in schemes like Madhya Pradesh's 'Ladli Behna Yojana' and Maharashtra'

Kejriwal questions deployment of Gujarat SRPF companies for Delhi polls

Aam Aadmi Party's national convener Arvind Kejriwal has questioned the deployment of eight companies of the State Reserve Police Force (SRPF) from Gujarat for the upcoming Delhi assembly elections. The SRPF companies reached Delhi on January 13 as per the order of the Election Commission (EC), Commandant SRPF, Bhachau, Tejas Patel said on Saturday. Kejriwal in a post on X on Saturday shared a circular issued by the office of the Additional Director General of Police (DGP), Armed Unit, regarding deployment of SRPF for Delhi election. "Read this order of Gujarat Police. Election Commission has removed Punjab Police from Delhi and deployed Gujarat Police. What is going on?" the former Delhi chief minister asked. Kejriwal's post came a day after the Punjab Police personnel deployed for his personal security were withdrawn, which he claimed was "pure politics". There should not be any politics at least over personal safety and security, he added. Punjab's Director General of Police Ga

Delhi BJP accuses AAP of throwing away forms for Mahila Samman Yojana

Speaking to ANI on Saturday, the BJP leader put forth a bunch of papers he claims to be registration forms for the women's scheme, which the party allegedly found with a rag picker

Kejriwal said he wouldn't take bungalow, but made 'Sheesh Mahal': Amit Shah

Attacking the former CM further over the issue of 'corruption', the Home Minister said the Delhi government has been run on "lies, betrayals, corruption, and deceit

Fearful atmosphere is being created in Delhi, says AAP MP Raghav Chadha

AAP MPs Raghav Chadha and Sandeep Pathak arrived at the Parliament Street Police Station, alleging that Delhi Police had detained several party workers who were conducting door-to-door campaigning in the New Delhi Assembly constituency.Speaking to the media, Raghav Chadha explained the situation, stating, "Some of our workers were holding door-to-door campaigning in New Delhi Assembly constituency. Police brought them here to Parliament Street Police Station. Party leaders reached here and spoke with the officers here. They had no answer as to why they brought them (AAP workers) here."Chadha continued, describing how the police tried to keep the workers detained but were forced to release them after party leaders cited various laws and acts. "They tried to make our workers remain here. After we mentioned several laws & Acts, Police officials were compelled to let them go because there was no violation of any kind," he said.The AAP MP claimed the incident was part of an effort to

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Avoid fake narratives, disruptive campaign: CEC asks political parties

CEC Rajiv Kumar on Saturday requested political parties to avoid "disruptive campaigning" and "fake narratives", saying it might cause disillusionment among youngsters regarding the electoral process. He was addressing the 15th National Voters' Day event here in the presence of President Droupadi Murmu, Union Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal and representatives of political parties. At the same time, Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Kumar assured political parties that the Election Commission (EC) would respond in writing to concerns flagged by them on the electoral process and the suggestions made by them to improve the system. His remarks came on a day the opposition Congress hit out at the EC, saying its "self-congratulation" on the occasion would not obscure the fact that the poll panel's functioning had made a "mockery" of the Constitution and insulted the voters. Kumar also flagged the "dangerous trend" all over the world of misinformation and fake narratives, calling them the

BJP Delhi polls manifesto: Clean Yamuna, welfare schemes for gig workers

With less than two weeks left for the Delhi Assembly polls, senior BJP leader Amit Shah on Saturday promised to clean Yamuna in three years, provide complete ownership rights in 1,700 unauthorised colonies, and welfare measures for gig workers and labourers. Shah slammed AAP supremo Arvind Kejriwal, accusing him of "lying" and not fulfilling his promises and asserted that "getting rid of liars and betrayers" is the biggest poll issue in the national capital. The BJP manifesto also promised free travel of up to Rs 4,000 annually for needy students in Delhi Metro under the National Common Mobility Card scheme. The Union minister, who released the final part of BJP's 'Sankalp Patra' for the February 5 Delhi polls, said people living in 1,700 unauthorised colonies will get full ownership rights of properties, which will pave the way for sale, purchase and construction if the BJP comes to power. He also reiterated that the BJP will not stop any ongoing welfare measures for the poor in .

Congress promises free 'tirth yatra' to Buddhist sites if wins Delhi polls

Congress on Saturday announced free 'tirth yatra' for Buddhist places if the party is elected in Delhi in the upcoming assembly polls. During a press conference, former Delhi MP Udit Raj said there were no schemes for Buddhist pilgrimages, which the Congress would change if it formed the government. The Delhi government organises pilgrimage for Tirupati, Ayodhya, Vaishno Devi, Balaji for senior citizens at its own expense, Raj said. "So why are there no pilgrimage schemes for the Buddhist places like Sarnath, Bodh Gaya, Lumbini, Deekshaboomi, Mhow etc.," he asked. If our government comes, we will not discriminate and will provide free pilgrimage for them also, Raj stated. The 'Mukhyamantri Teerth Yatra Yojana' was launched by the AAP government in 2019 to aid the elderly in visiting pilgrimage sites across the country. Under the scheme, the Delhi government organises free pilgrimage travel for the elderly to 15 places of various religious faiths, including Ayodhya, Dwarkadheesh,

Kejriwal BJP's 'B-team', silent over attacks on minorities: Cong's Udit Raj

Congress leader Udit Raj indirectly accused the AAP convenor of being communal, questioning his silence on the attacks against minorities in Sambhal, Uttar Pradesh

Delhi polls: AAP forms task force to woo voters of Purvanchal community

AAP has formed seven teams, under party leader Sanjay Singh's leadership, to cover the seven Lok Sabha constituencies in Delhi