New Delhi, January 21, 2025 — Arvind Kejriwal, the former Delhi Chief Minister, on Tuesday strongly criticized the BJP’s election manifesto, calling it “dangerous for the country.” In a press conference, Kejriwal alleged that if the BJP were to come to power, they would shut down free education in government schools and dismantle free healthcare services, including the Mohalla Clinics that have become a vital service for Delhi’s poor.

Kejriwal’s Strong Allegations

Kejriwal accused the BJP of revealing its “true intentions” in the manifesto and warned voters about the party’s plans. He claimed that the BJP would end free education and healthcare, policies that he said were central to improving the lives of Delhi’s working-class citizens.

“If the BJP comes to power, they will stop free education, end free health facilities, and make it harder for the poor to survive in Delhi. This is a direct attack on the welfare of the common man,” Kejriwal stated, adding that the BJP’s proposed policies would disproportionately hurt Delhi’s lower-income population.

Blueprint for Closure of Essential Services

The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader further alleged that the BJP’s Sankalp Patra (manifesto) outlined a blueprint for shutting down key government programs, including Mohalla Clinics and government schools, both of which have been integral to Delhi’s welfare programs in recent years.

“Mohalla Clinics and government schools have been a lifeline for many, providing affordable healthcare and education. The BJP wants to close them down, which will severely impact the poor and marginalized sections of society,” Kejriwal added.

Kejriwal’s Appeal to Voters

The former Chief Minister appealed to Delhi residents, urging them not to support the BJP in the upcoming elections, claiming that their policies would jeopardize the future of the country and harm Delhi’s poor. “The BJP’s manifesto is a threat to the future of Delhi and India,” Kejriwal emphasized.

BJP’s Response Pending

As of now, the BJP has yet to respond to Kejriwal’s serious allegations regarding their election manifesto.

Conclusion

Through his strong remarks, Arvind Kejriwal has painted the BJP’s election manifesto as a potential threat to the welfare of Delhi’s citizens, particularly the underprivileged. As the election nears, this issue is likely to remain a focal point in political discussions

New Delhi, January 21, 2025 — The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) on Monday launched a scathing attack on the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) by unveiling a blank book titled “Bhajpa Ki Uplabdhiyan” (BJP’s Achievements), mocking the ruling party for failing to meet its key promises.

Sanjay Singh, a senior AAP leader and Rajya Sabha MP, addressed the media at a press conference, criticizing the BJP for repeatedly making promises during elections, only to fall short once in power. Singh pointed out that the BJP, after coming to power in 2014, promised a slew of measures that remain unfulfilled.

Promises Left Unfulfilled

“The BJP has ruled for many years, starting with the RSS in 1925, followed by Jansangh in 1952, and the formation of the BJP in 1980. During this time, they have made several promises to the people of India, but have failed to deliver,” Singh said. He listed several key pledges made by the BJP, including:

• Transferring Rs 15 lakh to each citizen’s bank account
• Creating 2 crore jobs annually
• Providing pucca houses for all slum dwellers
• Selling petrol at Rs 50 per litre
• Strengthening the rupee against the dollar

Despite these promises, Singh asserted that the BJP has done little to fulfill them.

The Blank Book as a Symbol

AAP’s blank book serves as a stark visual metaphor, with the empty pages symbolizing the absence of the BJP’s achievements. The book’s content, or lack thereof, was used by Singh as a sly critique of the BJP’s unfulfilled commitments.

“While Prime Minister Narendra Modi made numerous promises to the people of Delhi, the BJP has never shared any real progress on fulfilling those promises. Today, AAP is presenting a complete and honest account of our own achievements to the nation,” Singh added.

The book also highlights promises specifically related to Delhi, such as:

• Regularizing unauthorised colonies in the city
• Doubling farmers’ incomes
• Reducing the prices of petrol, diesel, and cooking gas cylinders

AAP claims that these promises made by PM Modi’s government have yet to be fulfilled.

Sarcastic Call for Support

Adding a layer of irony, the book sarcastically suggests that to “strengthen the nation” and support PM Modi, citizens should continue paying taxes without hesitation. This comment underlines AAP’s criticism of the BJP’s handling of national financial policies and its perceived lack of action on critical issues.

AAP’s Strong Criticism of BJP Leadership

In a formal statement, AAP emphasized that the blank book was an effort to sharply criticize the BJP and expose the false promises made by the party’s leaders, especially PM Modi.

“This book exposes the unkept promises made by BJP leaders, which were never fulfilled. It is a stark reminder of the misleading claims made to the people of India,” the statement read.

Sisodia’s Remarks on Social Media

Manish Sisodia, another prominent AAP leader, took to X (formerly Twitter) to comment on the book launch, stating: “It was crucial to present this book to the country, based on the achievements of the Bharatiya Jhootha Party. The public must see the magnitude of the lies the BJP has fed to the nation.”

Conclusion

Through this bold move, AAP has delivered a sharp political statement aimed at questioning the BJP’s track record and unfulfilled promises, particularly in the run-up to the Delhi elections. With the release of the blank book, AAP is making a pointed critique of the BJP’s leadership and its failure to deliver on the major commitments it made to the people of India.

Ahead of its ‘Jai Bapu, Jai Bhim, Jai Samvidhan’ rally in Belagavi, Karnataka, the Congress party on Monday accused the Constitution of India of being under siege and reiterated its demand that RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat must apologise for his “anti-national statement” regarding India’s freedom movement. The rally, which was initially scheduled for December 27, 2024, but postponed due to the passing of former Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh, is set to take place on January 21, 2025.

In a statement on social media platform X, Congress General Secretary for Communications, Jairam Ramesh, recalled that Belagavi was historically significant as the location where Mahatma Gandhi assumed the presidency of the Indian National Congress on December 26, 1924. He stressed that the rally is a reaffirmation of Congress’ commitment to the legacy of Mahatma Gandhi and Dr. B.R. Ambedkar.

“Mahatma Gandhi is being insulted. Dr. Ambedkar is being attacked. The Constitution of India and its values are under assault,” Ramesh stated, reflecting the party’s strong stance ahead of the rally. The event in Belagavi will be followed by another rally at Mhow — Dr. Ambedkar’s birthplace — on January 27, 2025, to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the Constitution and the founding of India’s republic.

Ramesh also demanded an apology from Mohan Bhagwat, accusing him of delivering an “atrocious, anti-national” statement regarding the freedom movement during a recent speech. Bhagwat had controversially stated that India’s “true independence” was established on the day of the Ram temple’s consecration in Ayodhya, claiming that the country had faced centuries of “para chakra” (enemy attacks) and that the consecration marked the true moment of independence.

The Congress party swiftly condemned Bhagwat’s comments, with Ramesh calling for an apology, labeling the statement as “anti-national.” The party also continued to target Home Minister Amit Shah, demanding that he resign and apologise for his remarks in Parliament on December 17, 2024, which the Congress claims insulted Dr. Ambedkar and his legacy.

Last week, Ramesh had already slammed Bhagwat’s statements, calling them an affront to India’s history and its struggle for independence. The Congress leadership, in a strong and unified voice, has continuously accused the BJP and RSS of undermining the values championed by Ambedkar, especially in light of Shah’s controversial comments during a Rajya Sabha debate on the Constitution.

The Mhow rally on January 27 will commemorate not only the 75th anniversary of India’s Constitution but also address what Congress views as ongoing attacks on the legacy of Babasaheb Ambedkar by the current ruling regime. The party has warned that these events will highlight the growing concerns over the BJP’s attitude toward the Constitution and the ideals that it represents.

Following the passing of Dr. Manmohan Singh on December 26, the Congress party had announced a seven-day period of mourning, cancelling all official programs, including the foundation day celebrations. Singh, who was 92, was a key figure in shaping India’s modern economic landscape, and his death marked a significant moment in Indian politics.

The Congress party’s rallies are shaping up to be a strong statement in defense of the Constitution and a call for accountability from those whom the party accuses of undermining its core values.

Ahead of the upcoming Delhi Assembly elections, Congress leader Sachin Pilot expressed confidence that his party will emerge as the “better option” for voters, amidst the ongoing power struggle between the AAP-led Delhi government and the BJP-led central government. Pilot, speaking to the press, stated that the people of Delhi have been suffering due to the battle for supremacy between these two political entities.

He assured that Congress is prepared to deliver a strong performance in the elections, citing the party’s track record of development under the leadership of former Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit. “There is a battle of supremacy between the Delhi government and the central government, and the people are suffering in this,” Pilot remarked. “The Congress party has emerged as the better option, and the people of Delhi will vote for us,” he added confidently.

Congress’ Five Guarantees for Delhi Voters

In a bid to address the concerns of the citizens and secure their mandate, Congress has promised five key guarantees for the Delhi polls:

• LPG Cylinders at Rs 500
• Free Ration Kits and 300 Units of Free Electricity
• Monthly Grant of Rs 2,500 for Women under ‘Pyaari Didi Yojana’
• Free Health Insurance Cover of Up to Rs 25 Lakh under ‘Jeevan Raksha Yojana’
• Financial Assistance of Rs 8,500 per Month for Educated Unemployed Youths for One Year

Pilot emphasized that these guarantees aim to uplift the citizens of Delhi, particularly women and the youth, while also addressing key concerns like inflation and unemployment. The former Deputy Chief Minister of Rajasthan also reminded voters of the significant development achieved during the Congress-led government under Sheila Dikshit, which left a lasting impact on the city’s infrastructure and public welfare.

Opposition Unity and The INDIA Bloc

Regarding the broader opposition alliance, the INDIA bloc, Pilot praised the leadership of Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge and senior leader Rahul Gandhi for uniting various opposition parties to challenge the NDA in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. He noted that this collective effort had resulted in positive outcomes, reinforcing the idea that the opposition can effectively compete with the ruling BJP-led alliance.

Delhi Elections: A Tough Battle Ahead

As the 70-member Delhi Assembly prepares for elections on February 5, 2025, all eyes are on the performance of the key contenders. In the previous two elections, the AAP had secured overwhelming victories, winning 67 seats in 2015 and 62 seats in 2020. The BJP, while consistently securing seats, has not been able to mount a significant challenge in the capital, winning just three seats in 2015 and eight in 2020. Congress, on the other hand, failed to secure a single seat in both elections but is hopeful that this time, with its new promises and strong campaign, it will make a significant comeback.

The results of the Delhi Assembly elections will be announced on February 8, 2025, and the political landscape in Delhi could undergo significant changes as Congress seeks to regain its foothold in the city’s governance.