Politics of ‘free vs more free’ in Delhi: BJP’s new strategy

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Delhi, which has been away from power for the last 27 years, is now preparing to adopt a new strategy. To counter the ‘politics of freebies’ of Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), BJP may come up with a formula of ‘more freebies’.
After forming the government three times in a row through AAP’s schemes like free electricity, water and treatment, BJP is now determined to challenge this ‘USP’.

BJP’s big bet: Promises more free electricity than AAP

BJP may promise more free facilities than AAP in its upcoming manifesto.

• 300 units free electricity:
  BJP will promise to provide 300 units of free electricity every month to every family, which is 100 units more than AAP’s 200 units.
• 500 units free electricity for religious places:
  BJP will also announce to provide 500 units of free electricity every month to religious places.

According to sources:
The manifesto committee of BJP has agreed on these proposals and soon they will be formally included in the manifesto.

Big promise for women: Rs 2500 monthly

There is a fierce competition between BJP and AAP to win over women voters in Delhi.

• ‘You’ promise:
  Arvind Kejriwal has announced that if his government comes to power again, women will be given Rs 2100 every month.
• BJP’s counterattack:
  BJP, making a big move against Kejriwal, has planned to give Rs 2500 monthly to women.

This promise will further strengthen BJP’s ‘more free’ strategy.

Confidence in continuing the free schemes

Prime Minister Narendra Modi himself assured the people of Delhi at the ‘Parivartan Rally’ organized in Rohini:
“If BJP comes to power, the welfare schemes launched by AAP will not be stopped.”

• Free bus travel for women.
• Free pilgrimage for the elderly.

Preparation to snatch Kejriwal’s ‘USP’

Arvind Kejriwal has always been promoting his free schemes as ‘USP’.

• He has claimed many times that if BJP comes to power, these free facilities will stop.
• BJP is now trying to break this notion and weaken AAP’s ‘USP’ by promising more freebies.

Experts’ Opinion:
The main reason for AAP’s success in Delhi is their freebies, which appeal to a large beneficiary section.

Opposition to Revadi culture and politics of change

BJP has earlier opposed these schemes by calling them ‘revri culture’. But, accepting the ground reality, the party has now decided to challenge the strategy of ‘AAP’.

• BJP wants to end its exile from power in Delhi by making more free promises than AAP.
• The party is trying to ensure that its promises look more attractive and credible than those of AAP.

Will BJP’s strategy succeed?

Free schemes are a big issue in Delhi politics.

• While ‘AAP’ has made it its identity, BJP is dreaming of returning to power by challenging it.
• How successful this strategy of BJP will be will become clear only in the upcoming assembly elections.