AAP’s free healthcare scheme for the elderly a ‘poll gimmick’: BJP, Congress slam Kejriwal

Sachdeva added that “Kejriwal is not a magician but a master of lies”.

“In Punjab too, he made a promise to give a monthly allowance to women — not a single woman from the state has received a penny yet… Now, he is making false promises to get votes… Unlike AAP, the BJP has successfully implemented schemes (for women) in Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Haryana, and Odisha… He (Kejriwal) was rejected by the people of Haryana and will be rejected by the people of Delhi too,” he said.

The AAP said the new scheme will benefit about 25 lakh people in the 60-plus age group, including people from the middle-class as well as upper-middle-class. Kejriwal also said the scheme will not have an income cap for eligibility.

Delhi Congress president Devender Yadav called the health scheme “nothing but an election stunt” as the AAP’s mohalla clinics have failed.

“Kejriwal has been making announcements regarding various free schemes for women (Rs 2,100 a month), autorickshaw drivers (insurance coverage) and now the elderly as polls are approaching… Instead of making false promises, he should also tell the people how his bankrupt government will provide all these free schemes. By taking a loan from the Centre?” he asked.

Yadav was referring to the Finance Department’s comments on the Mahila Samman Yojana which said if the scheme is implemented, “Delhi will run into budgetary as well as revenue deficit” and implementing such schemes through “NSSF funds won’t be viable financially”.

“Kejriwal has not specified how his bankrupt government would finance such freebies as the AAP government had sought to borrow Rs 10,000 crore from the National Small Savings Fund (NSSF) for the financial year 2024-25. This decision comes despite opposition from the Principal Secretary (Finance); he had highlighted the long-term financial strain as the loan would burden the government with additional interest…,” said Yadav.

“The voters of Delhi have become wiser, the public remembers all of Kejriwal’s unfulfilled promises. His fresh freebie will not have any impact on the people,” he added.

Assembly elections in Delhi are scheduled to take place in February 2025.