BJP may woo Delhi with 300 units free power, Ladli Behna-like scheme: Sources

In a bid to match the ruling AAP’s raft of pre-poll promises in Delhi, the BJP may announce free electricity of up to 300 units, free piped water.

And a Ladli Behna-like scheme for women to woo the voters, sources said. Along with this, the BJP is also planning to provide free electricity of up to 500 units to religious places like temples and gurdwaras.

All eyes will be on the proposed Ladli Behna-like scheme as the BJP’s recent victories in Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh were powered by cash handout policies for women. In recent years, women have emerged as a new vote bank and every party, including the AAP and the Congress, have been rolling out schemes that put money directly in their hands.

For AAP, which is eyeing a third straight term in power, the Mahila Samman Yojana is at the centre of its game plan. Under the scheme, the AAP has promised to hike the monthly dole for women in Delhi from the initial Rs 1,000 to Rs 2,100. AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal has also promised a scheme, ‘Sanjeevani Yojana’, that will provide free healthcare to residents over 60 years.

The AAP has also reached out to Delhi’s autorickshaw drivers, who have been a significant support base for the party. Kejriwal has promised life and accident insurance worth Rs 15 lakh, financial assistance of Rs 1 lakh for their daughters’ weddings, and a Rs 2,500 uniform allowance twice a year.

In the past decade, the AAP has extensively relied on its flagship programmes, such as free electricity of up to 200 units, and free bus rides for women ahead of the elections. They have been a vital cog in the AAP’s governance model.

Meanwhile, the Congress, which is yet to hit the ground running, has so far announced ‘Pyari Didi Yojana’. The scheme promises Rs 2,500 per month to eligible women beneficiaries of Delhi.