BY PC Bureau
Delhi Politics Intensifies Over ‘Sanjeevani’ and ‘Mahila Samman’ Schemes: BJP and AAP Trade Barbs
The BJP and AAP have locked horns in a heated exchange over the Sanjeevani Scheme. Hours after BJP leader and New Delhi MP Bansuri Swaraj accused Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) convenor Arvind Kejriwal of misleading the public with “false promises” under the ‘Sanjeevani’ and ‘Mahila Samman’ schemes, Kejriwal hit back, claiming that the BJP is “badly upset” with these initiatives.
Swaraj alleged that the promises made by AAP were deceptive and aimed at garnering electoral support rather than providing tangible benefits to the public. Kejriwal, in his defense, dismissed the accusations, asserting that the BJP’s criticism stems from their unease over AAP’s welfare-driven agenda.
.Kejriwal further claimed that the BJP plans to arrest Delhi Chief Minister Atishi and conduct raids on senior AAP leaders, a move he termed as politically motivated. His remarks followed advertisements by Delhi’s Health and Family Welfare and Women and Child Development (WCD) departments cautioning residents against sharing personal details under these schemes, which they said were not officially notified.
At a press conference, Bansuri Swaraj labeled the AAP administration a “failed government,” citing a ₹7,000-crore deficit under Kejriwal’s leadership. She called the ‘Sanjeevani’ scheme a “fabrication” and criticized the ‘Mahila Samman’ scheme as a “hoax,” asserting that the promised ₹2,100 for women was reduced to ₹1,000, an amount announced before the Lok Sabha elections.
Swaraj accused the AAP government of blocking welfare initiatives like the Ayushman Bharat scheme and failing to deliver promised benefits in Punjab. She also targeted Kejriwal for focusing on misleading narratives instead of addressing pressing issues such as air pollution, the Yamuna River’s condition, and infrastructure development.
In an X post, Kejriwal dismissed the BJP’s criticism, claiming the schemes were receiving overwhelming public support. He alleged that BJP-backed actions, including potential arrests and raids, are attempts to derail his government’s efforts. The AAP echoed Kejriwal’s sentiments, stating, “No matter how much the BJP may conspire, the public stands with Kejriwal and CM Atishi. We will neither fear nor bow down.”
Speaking to reporters, AAP leader Sanjay Singh accused the BJP of opposing policies that benefit middle-class families and senior citizens. Singh affirmed that the ‘Sanjeevani Scheme’ is part of AAP’s commitment to address the needs of the elderly, ensuring their inclusion in future election manifestos.
Government Warnings Against Schemes
Newspaper advertisements issued by Delhi’s government departments urged residents to beware of the ‘Sanjeevani’ scheme, calling it non-existent and cautioning against providing personal information to unauthorized individuals.
A public notice stated, “The Health Department has not authorized any official to collect data or issue any cards under the so-called ‘Sanjeevani scheme.’ Citizens are advised to avoid falling for such misleading promises to prevent fraud or data breaches.”
Notice by the Health and Family Welfare Department
Another notice issued by the Department of Women and Child Development (WCD), GNCTD, stated: “The department has come across media reports and social media posts claiming that a political party is offering ₹2,100 per month to women in Delhi under the Mukhyamantri Mahila Samman Yojana.”
The notice clarified, “No such scheme has been officially notified by the Government of Delhi.”
Newspaper ad over AAP’s women welfare schemes
“A political party announced post-poll promises in such a manner that the public believed the schemes were already launched. There is no such file in our department, yet we started receiving inquiries, prompting us to issue the clarification,” an official explained.
The WCD Department clarified that Cabinet approval only covered ₹1,000 per month per woman, not ₹2,100, as claimed by the AAP.
“Political parties make numerous promises, but not all materialize. As government departments, it is our duty to inform the public about what exists and what does not,” said another official.
BJP LEADERS CRITICIZE AAP AND KEJRIWAL
Following the government-issued advertisements, BJP leaders harshly criticized the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), accusing it of deceit and failed governance.
Amit Malviya, BJP IT cell chief, took to X, stating, “AAP exposed: The Departments of Women & Child Development and Health & Family Welfare have clarified that the Mukhyamantri Mahila Samman Yojana and the Sanjeevani Scheme are not part of Delhi Government programs.”
He further accused Arvind Kejriwal of being the “biggest fraud Delhi has witnessed,” alleging that these hollow promises were distractions from AAP’s refusal to implement the Ayushman Bharat scheme.
Kapil Mishra also shared a copy of the government notice on X, calling Kejriwal’s actions a “big fraud” with Delhi’s women, and alleging that forms being distributed for the schemes were fake.
BJP national spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla and Pradeep Bhandari echoed these accusations, claiming AAP’s actions were an attempt to collect personal data for electoral purposes.
MP Manoj Tiwari added, “Kejriwal has stooped so low as to cheat Delhi’s citizens. It is suspected that money could be withdrawn from the accounts of those registering. Why is Atishi silent when she is the Chief Minister?”
CONGRESS JOINS THE CRITICISM
Congress leader Sandeep Dikshit also criticized the AAP government, stating, “We had raised questions earlier. Funds are released only after a proposal is sent to the Finance Department. This appears to be a data collection exercise masquerading as welfare schemes.”
AAP’S WOMEN WELFARE INITIATIVES
The Delhi government’s 2024-25 budget included the Mahila Samman Yojana, offering ₹1,000 per month to all adult women. Kejriwal later announced the amount would be increased to ₹2,100 if AAP was re-elected.
The Sanjeevani Yojana promised free medical treatment for senior citizens aged 60 and above. On December 23, Kejriwal and Chief Minister Atishi led registration drives for the schemes, helping women generate OTPs and distributing registration cards in Kidwai Nagar.
To promote the schemes, AAP launched a public outreach campaign, with ministers and volunteers setting up registration camps across Delhi. Leaders like Saurabh Bharadwaj and Imran Hussain actively participated in Shahpur Jat and Ballimaran, while MLAs such as Raghuvinder Shokeen and Vishesh Ravi conducted camps in their constituencies.
