Delhi CM Atishi claims BJP workers are harassing AAP volunteers, creating a “climate of fear” in Kalkaji. Kejriwal demands immediate action from the Election Commission.
BY PC Bureau
The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) unveiled its manifesto on Wednesday, emphasizing middle-class welfare as a key focus ahead of the upcoming Delhi assembly elections. AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal presented the manifesto alongside a seven-point charter of demands, urging the central government to include these priorities in the forthcoming Union Budget.
Key Proposals from AAP’s Manifesto
Arvind Kejriwal emphasized that the middle class deserves significant policy reforms across education, health, taxation, and senior citizen welfare. He outlined the following demands:
• Education Reforms: Increase the Budget allocation for education to 10% (up from 2%) and impose caps on private school fees. Subsidies and scholarships should also make higher education accessible to more students.
• Health Initiatives: Raise health funding to 10% of the Budget and eliminate taxes on health insurance.
• Tax Relief: Increase the income tax exemption limit from ₹7 lakh to ₹10 lakh to alleviate the tax burden on middle-class families.
SHARE MAX@ArvindKejriwal Demands to Modi Govt for Middle Class Manifesto
AAP's 7 Demands to the Centre:
▶️Increase Education Budget from 2% to 10%.
▶️Cap private school fees; offer subsidies and scholarships for higher education
▶️ Raise income tax exemption from ₹7… pic.twitter.com/6QvuTtUphx
— AAP Ka Mehta 🇮🇳 (@DaaruBaazMehta) January 22, 2025
• Essential Goods: Exempt essential commodities from GST.
• Senior Citizen Benefits: Implement retirement plans, pension schemes, and free medical care at all hospitals for senior citizens.
• Travel Discounts: Introduce a 50% rail travel concession for senior citizens.
“These measures aim to relieve the middle class from financial pressures and address long-standing challenges in education, health, and senior citizen welfare,” said Kejriwal, urging policies that center on common citizens.
Highlighting the AAP’s governance achievements, Kejriwal added, “We’ve used tax revenue effectively to improve education, protect citizens from inflation, and upgrade public infrastructure. We’ve reduced power tariffs, water bills, and improved government hospital facilities.”
AAP accuses Bidhuri of hooliganism
The manifesto launch coincided with a press conference where Delhi Chief Minister Atishi and Kejriwal accused BJP leader Ramesh Bidhuri and his associates of “hooliganism” against AAP workers.
Atishi alleged that BJP workers, including individuals claiming to be Bidhuri’s nephews, were harassing AAP volunteers in Kalkaji. She accused them of physically intimidating workers and destroying campaign materials.
“Ever since Ramesh Bidhuri started contesting in Kalkaji, BJP has fostered an atmosphere of terror. BJP workers and self-proclaimed nephews of Bidhuri are threatening our workers, grabbing their collars, and burning campaign materials,” Atishi stated.
Kejriwal added, “This behavior is not isolated to Kalkaji. The BJP’s resort to hooliganism reflects their desperation. We demand action from the Election Commission of India to ensure a free and fair election.”
