Delhi Election Freebies Political Promises And Welfare Schemes In The 2025 Assembly Elections

The 2025 Delhi Assembly elections have been characterized by intense competition among political parties centered around freebie announcements and welfare schemes. The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), and Congress all presented elaborate manifestos filled with promises of financial assistance, subsidies, and benefits to various voter segments. This article examines the key freebie policies announced during the Delhi elections, the parties' positions on welfare schemes, and the potential implications of these promises on governance and public finances.

The Landscape of Freebie Politics in Delhi

The Delhi Assembly elections have evolved into a significant political battleground where freebies and welfare schemes have become central campaign strategies. Political parties have recognized the electoral appeal of direct financial assistance and subsidized services, leading to increasingly competitive promises aimed at capturing voter support across different demographic segments.

The Supreme Court of India has repeatedly expressed concerns about the growing trend of freebies in elections. In a 2013 order in S Subramaniam Balaji vs the Government of Tamil Nadu, the court observed that "the distribution of freebies of any kind influences all people. It shakes the root of free and fair elections to a large degree." Nearly a decade later, in January 2022, the court noted that "this is no doubt a serious issue, budget for freebies is going above the regular Budget."

Despite these judicial warnings, political parties have continued to expand their freebie offerings. State elections since 2022 have witnessed parties competing to "mesmerize voters with a deadly combination of free goods and services and cash assistance," with these promises playing a "domineering role in winning elections." In Delhi, this competition reached new heights, with the offers being described as having reached their 'NADIR'.

The financial implications of these schemes have become substantial. The Mukhyamantri Mahila Samman Yojana (MMSY), announced by AAP finance minister Atishi in the 2024-25 budget, promised Rs 1000 per month to all women above the age of 18 in Delhi, representing a significant financial commitment by any government.

AAP's Freebie Manifesto for Delhi 2025

The Aam Aadmi Party, seeking a fourth consecutive term in Delhi, presented a manifesto titled "Kejriwal ki Guarantee" containing 15 promises designed to appeal to various voter groups. AAP's freebie policies focused on financial support for specific demographics and expanded welfare services.

Expansion of Old-Age Pensions

AAP announced an expansion of its old-age pension scheme by adding 80,000 new beneficiaries, raising the total number of recipients to 5.3 lakh. The government also launched a new online portal to streamline applications, which reportedly received 10,000 submissions shortly after its introduction. This expansion demonstrated AAP's commitment to increasing social security coverage for elderly citizens in Delhi.

Pujari Granthi Samman Yojana

AAP leader Arvind Kejriwal announced the 'Pujari Granthi Samman Yojana' as part of his election promises. This scheme would provide a monthly allowance of Rs 18,000 to Hindu temple priests and gurdwara granthis. The announcement targeted religious functionaries, acknowledging their role in community services while seeking support from religious institutions and their followers.

Mukhyamantri Mahila Samman Yojana

AAP launched the Mukhyamantri Mahila Samman Yojana to provide financial assistance to women from families with an annual income below Rs 3 lakh. This scheme represented an attempt to address economic disparities affecting women while also creating a substantial voter base through direct financial support.

AAP's manifesto also included several other welfare-oriented promises: - Free healthcare for senior citizens - 24/7 clean drinking water for all households - A cleaner Yamuna River - Scholarships covering all expenses for Dalit students studying abroad - Free bus and metro travel for students - Construction of world-class roads

These comprehensive promises reflected AAP's strategy to position itself as a pro-party focused on tangible benefits for various segments of Delhi's population.

BJP's Freebie Strategy and Election Victory

The Bharatiya Janata Party approached the Delhi elections with a significant strategic shift, adopting freebie policies that contrasted with their previous stance against such populist measures. The BJP's manifesto, titled "Vikasit Dilli Sankalp Patra," presented an ambitious array of welfare promises that matched and in some cases exceeded AAP's offerings.

BJP's 16 Promises to Delhi Voters

The BJP's manifesto included 16 key pledges designed to appeal to different voter groups: - Mahila Samriddhi Yojana - Expanded Ayushman Bharat scheme - Rs 10 lakh health insurance for senior citizens and economically disadvantaged families - Free electricity for up to 200 units - Rs 500 subsidy on LPG cylinders - Free cylinder during festivals like Holi and Diwali

This represented a notable departure from the BJP's historical position opposing freebies. During the campaign, AAP's Arvind Kejriwal had claimed that the BJP would stop all 'free' schemes in Delhi if it came to power. However, the BJP countered these claims by promising even more freebies while simultaneously attacking AAP on issues of corruption and governance.

BJP's Victory and the "Brand Modi" Factor

The BJP registered a landslide victory in the Delhi assembly elections, winning 47 of the 70 seats and leading on another one. This victory ended AAP's ten-year rule in the national capital and marked the BJP's return to power in Delhi after nearly three decades.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh attributed the victory to a "triumph of faith in Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership," acknowledging the Prime Minister's significant role in the BJP's Delhi election campaign. PM Modi had accused AAP Convener Arvind Kejriwal of building a 'sheeshmahal' (a palace of mirrors) at the alleged cost of heavy expenditures on the ex-CM's residence rather than people's welfare.

The BJP's campaign strategy successfully targeted AAP's middle-class voter base through changes in income tax slabs while simultaneously leveraging corruption allegations against senior AAP leaders including Arvind Kejriwal, Manish Sisodia, Sanjay Singh, and Satyendra Jain.

Congress's Election Promises

The Indian National Congress entered the Delhi elections with its own set of freebie promises, attempting to position itself as a viable alternative to both AAP and BJP. The party's manifesto included several welfare schemes designed to appeal to key voter segments.

Pyari Didi Yojana

Congress matched the BJP's cash transfer for women with its "Pyari Didi Yojana," which offered Rs 2,500 per month to women beneficiaries. This represented a more generous financial assistance program compared to AAP's Rs 1000 per month under the Mukhyamantri Mahila Samman Yojana.

Electricity Subsidies

The Congress party promised up to 300 units of free electricity, surpassing both AAP and BJP's electricity schemes. This promise targeted middle-class households concerned about rising utility costs while also appealing to lower-income segments.

While Congress's freebie offerings were competitive, they ultimately proved insufficient to challenge the dominance of AAP and BJP in the Delhi elections, with the party securing only a fraction of the total votes.

The Future of Freebies Under BJP Government

With the BJP's victory in Delhi, questions arose about the future of AAP's freebie schemes under the new administration. The BJP had previously criticized freebies during its national campaigns, but its Delhi manifesto included numerous welfare promises similar to those offered by AAP.

BJP's Official Stance on Continuing Welfare Schemes

In its Sankalp Patra for the Delhi Assembly Elections, the BJP committed to not discontinuing existing welfare schemes. The party promised to roll out new welfare programs designed to benefit various segments of society. This suggested a pragmatic approach to governance, recognizing the popularity of existing freebie schemes while also introducing new initiatives.

The first cabinet meeting under the BJP-led government in Delhi was anticipated to implement the Ayushman Bharat Yojana, which provides free treatment up to Rs 5 lakh, with the state government adding another Rs 5 lakh coverage for low-income families. This demonstrated the BJP's intention to expand healthcare access while maintaining continuity with existing welfare approaches.

Expert Analysis of BJP's Freebie Policy

Experts suggest that the BJP will likely continue with AAP's freebie schemes rather than discontinuing them. According to expert analysis, there may be potential additions to welfare schemes under the BJP government. However, experts also note that the BJP will need to strike a balance between populist measures and financial sustainability.

This assessment indicates that despite its historical opposition to freebies, the BJP may recognize both the political necessity and social value of maintaining welfare programs that have become integral to Delhi's governance landscape.

The Economic and Political Implications of Freebies

The proliferation of freebie promises in Delhi elections raises significant questions about fiscal responsibility, electoral integrity, and long-term governance. The Supreme Court's observations about freebies "shaking the root of free and fair elections" highlight concerns about the influence of financial incentives on voting behavior.

The budgetary implications of these schemes are substantial. When the budget for freebies "goes above the regular Budget," as noted by the Supreme Court, it raises concerns about fiscal sustainability and the potential diversion of resources from essential public services. The Mukhyamantri Mahila Samman Yojana alone, providing Rs 1000 per month to all women above 18 in Delhi, represents a significant financial commitment that must be balanced against other budgetary priorities.

Politically, freebies have become an indispensable tool for parties seeking to build voter loyalty and secure electoral victories. The intense competition among AAP, BJP, and Congress to offer increasingly attractive welfare benefits demonstrates the perceived effectiveness of this strategy in mobilizing support across different demographic segments.

Conclusion

The 2025 Delhi Assembly elections highlighted the central role of freebies and welfare schemes in contemporary Indian electoral politics. AAP's manifesto focused on expanding social security through programs like the Pujari Granthi Samman Yojana and Mukhyamantri Mahila Samman Yojana, while also promising improved public services. The BJP, despite its historical opposition to freebies, adopted a more pragmatic approach, matching many of AAP's promises while adding its own initiatives like the Mahila Samriddhi Yojana and expanded electricity subsidies.

Congress attempted to position itself in the middle with competitive offerings like the Pyari Didi Yojana, ultimately proving insufficient to challenge the dominance of the two major parties. The BJP's landslide victory suggests that while freebies remain an important electoral consideration, other factors like leadership perception and governance issues also significantly influence voter behavior.

Looking forward, the BJP's commitment to maintaining existing welfare schemes while introducing new initiatives indicates that freebies will likely remain a feature of Delhi's political landscape. However, the challenge of balancing populist measures with fiscal sustainability will continue to test the judgment of political parties and the resilience of democratic institutions.

Sources

1. From Schemes For Women To Priests: Freebie Policies Announced By AAP For Delhi Election 2025
2. Despite repeated warnings from the Supreme Court about the detrimental impact of freebies on free and fair elections, political parties continue to offer them
3. The Delhi Assembly elections have turned into a race of promises, with the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), and the Congress all offering voters a smorgasbord of freebies in what is shaping up to be a high-stakes contest
4. BJP's Freebie Paradox On Promise Day — A Look At What BJP Pledged To Delhi Voters Before Polls
5. Brand Modi To Freebies: How BJP Triumphed AAP To Win Delhi Elections 2025
6. Will BJP Govt In Delhi Continue With AAP Freebies? Here Is What Experts Say