Bjps Freebie Strategy Across Indian States Political Promises And Welfare Policies

Freebies have become a significant aspect of Indian politics, with political parties using various incentives and benefits to attract voters. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), one of India's major political parties, has implemented numerous freebie schemes across the states it governs. This article examines the nature of these freebies, their implementation, the political discourse surrounding them, and their financial implications. With approximately 270 million people - nearly 22 percent of India's population - living in poverty, such incentives hold particular appeal to voters.

Types of Freebies Offered by BJP in Different States

The BJP has implemented a variety of freebie schemes across different states, targeting specific demographics and addressing various sectors. These initiatives range from direct financial benefits to subsidized essential services and goods.

In northern Punjab state, the BJP government has offered sugar and clarified butter at low prices, making essential commodities more affordable for residents. In Uttar Pradesh, the state's top elected official, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, announced a 50 percent reduction in power tariff on agricultural use, directly benefiting over 13 lakh users in rural and semi-urban areas. This move demonstrates the party's strategy to address the needs of specific voter segments while also positioning itself as concerned about agricultural welfare.

During election campaigns, the BJP has made promises of free smartphones and laptops to attract younger voters. In the run-up to the February 2022 Assembly elections, the party promised two crore tablets or smartphones under the Swami Vivekananda Yuva Sashaktikaran Yojana. This initiative appears aimed at students and young people, who represent a significant voting bloc.

The party has also focused on women's welfare in several states. In Jharkhand, the BJP announced an allowance for women to be paid each month, along with two free gas cylinders during festivals. Similarly, the party has promoted LPG (liquefied petroleum gas) subsidies, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi frequently appearing in posters and hoardings next to gas cylinders and recipients of the LPG subsidy.

In terms of social welfare, the BJP has implemented schemes such as installing free napkin vending machines in public areas and offering free education from Class I to Class XII in public schools. These initiatives address critical social concerns while also serving as strategic freebies designed to attract voters.

The party has also targeted specific demographic groups through various welfare schemes. In Jharkhand, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced an unemployment allowance of Rs 2000 per month to youngsters if the BJP won the state elections. This mirrors similar allowance schemes implemented by the Congress party in states like Karnataka, Himachal Pradesh, and Telangana.

BJP's Strategy in the 2024 Lok Sabha Elections

As the 2024 Lok Sabha elections approach, the BJP has developed a comprehensive strategy centered on what the party terms "Sankalp Patra" (resolution letter). This document diverges from the direct cash giveaways approach adopted by some opposition parties, instead opting for a subtle distribution of freebies under the guise of ongoing schemes.

The BJP's strategy focuses on leveraging existing schemes to target key voter demographics. The party has identified four primary voter groups: GYAN - Garib (poor), Yuva (youth), Annadata (farmers), and Nari (women). These groups have emerged as the BJP's new targeted vote bank, with specific promises designed to appeal to each segment.

Key elements of the BJP's 2024 election strategy include:

• Continuation of the PM Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana, promising free ration for the next five years
• Introduction of PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana, offering free electricity for poor households
• Expansion of Ayushman Bharat healthcare scheme
• Promotion of LPG subsidies and other energy benefits

This approach allows the BJP to present itself as providing essential services without resorting to direct cash transfers, which some critics might label as "freebies." The framing of these initiatives as welfare schemes rather than election freebies represents a strategic communication approach.

The Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK), a regional party in Tamil Nadu, has responded to the BJP's national influence with its own targeted freebies in its manifesto for the 2024 Lok Sabha Elections. While the specific details of these promises aren't detailed in the source material, it indicates that freebies remain a significant component of election strategies across the political spectrum.

Freebies vs. Welfare Schemes: The Political Debate

The discourse around freebies in Indian politics is characterized by a fundamental disagreement over terminology and intent. The BJP frequently describes opposition party initiatives as "freebies" or "revdi culture" (a colloquial term for handouts), while positioning its own offerings as "welfare schemes."

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been particularly vocal in criticizing what he terms the "culture of freebies," suggesting that opposition parties make "unreal promises" that are difficult to implement. During election campaigns, the PM has stated that "making unreal promises is easy but implementing them properly is tough or impossible," warning voters to be "vigilant against the Congress sponsored culture of fake promises."

However, this criticism appears inconsistent with the BJP's own actions. As noted in the source material, "the Prime Minister forgot that the 'revdi' culture that he is openly opposed to was very much part of the BJP culture." The party has implemented similar schemes in states it governs, including Uttarakhand, Manipur, and Gujarat.

The Congress party, in turn, has defended its initiatives as essential welfare measures rather than freebies. Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge criticized Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar for suggesting a revision of a state scheme allowing free bus travel for all women, indicating that even within parties, there are different perspectives on how to approach these initiatives.

The Election Commission of India has attempted to address this issue by telling political parties to explain how they would raise funds for the promises they make in their manifestos. However, this directive has not been followed, and the Election Commission later acknowledged that "freebies" are subjective and open to interpretation. The Commission stated that it cannot regulate state policies and decisions which may be taken by a party after they form the government, suggesting that the responsibility for evaluating these initiatives lies with voters.

This lack of clear definition extends to the political discourse more broadly. As one source notes, "when the controversy surrounding freebies is escalating unnecessarily, the Central government, state governments, election commission, and Supreme Court are yet to define what is a freebie, which schemes they consider freebies and what is the difference between freebies and welfare schemes."

The phrase "freebie" originates from 1920s American politics and refers to "perks, handouts, giveaways, and sample gifts provided or given free of charge, especially as a way of attracting one's support for or interest in something." However, there remains no clarity on how this term should be interpreted in policy contexts.

Some political commentators argue that treating populist schemes and subsidies as the same as freebies is incorrect. This distinction becomes particularly important in a country where a significant portion of the population lives in poverty, and government assistance may be essential for basic survival.

Financial Implications of Freebies on State Budgets

The implementation of freebie schemes across Indian states raises significant questions about financial sustainability and the impact on state budgets. The central issue concerns how these initiatives are funded and their long-term effects on fiscal health.

One major concern is the impact of central government policies on state finances. According to the source material, "The Centre must not forget that States' finances are affected as the former raises more resources through cesses and surcharges in which States have no share." Additionally, "the tax-GDP ratio of India is one of the lowest in the world for which States are affected as they get less from the Centre."

The 15th Finance Commission recommended that states should receive 41 percent from the divisible pool of central taxes, but in reality, they are getting only 29 percent. This reduced funding places additional constraints on state governments seeking to implement welfare initiatives.

The financial burden of freebies becomes particularly concerning when considering that many schemes continue beyond election cycles. For example, the BJP's promise of free ration for the next five years under PM Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana represents a long-term financial commitment that states must honor.

Some analysts argue that the reckless spending of taxpayer money on freebles constitutes "blatant financial irregularity that amounts to bribing voters using public money solely for gaining advantage in electoral politics." This perspective suggests that such expenditures violate the Union Government's standards of financial propriety, which state that "no authority shall exercise its powers of sanctioning expenditure to pass an order which will be directly or indirectly, to its advantage; and the expenditure from public moneys should not be incurred for the benefit of a particular person or a section of the people unless a claim for the amount could be enforced in a court of law or the expenditure is in pursuance of a recognized policy or custom."

From this viewpoint, spending on freebies neither constitutes a recognized policy or custom nor is it sanctioned in a court of law, making it a questionable use of public funds.

However, others argue that distinguishing between freebies and essential welfare services is artificial, particularly in a country with high levels of poverty. They contend that many initiatives labeled as "freebies" are actually necessary social safety nets that improve quality of life and reduce economic inequality.

The financial sustainability of these initiatives becomes particularly problematic when considering the challenge of implementation. As noted in the source material, "all parties promise freebies in their manifestos but implementing everything that has been promised has proved to be the challenge." The Congress party, for example, "has been able to implement only half" of the ten welfare promises it made in Himachal Pradesh.

This gap between promises and implementation raises questions about the fiscal prudence of political parties when making pre-election commitments. Without clear plans for funding these initiatives, states may face significant budgetary challenges after elections.

Criticisms and Concerns

The proliferation of freebie schemes in Indian politics has generated numerous criticisms and concerns across different dimensions, including governance ethics, economic sustainability, and democratic fairness.

One major concern is the potential for corruption and erosion in governance ethics. As one source notes, "An overarching negative is abetment to corruption and erosion in governance ethics." The use of public funds for electoral advantages raises questions about the appropriate use of taxpayer money and the potential for misuse of political power.

The practice also raises concerns about a fair playing field for smaller parties and independent candidates. With major political parties able to offer substantial incentives, smaller organizations may struggle to compete, potentially undermining democratic diversity.

There are also questions about the long-term economic impact of widespread freebie distribution. Critics argue that such initiatives may create dependency among voters rather than fostering self-reliance. Additionally, the financial burden on state budgets could limit resources for essential services like infrastructure development, education, and healthcare.

The Election Commission has attempted to address some of these concerns by asking political parties to explain funding sources for their manifesto promises. However, this directive has not been effectively enforced, and parties continue to make extensive commitments without clear financial plans.

Another criticism relates to the inconsistency in how freebies are perceived and framed. The BJP, for example, has criticized opposition parties for promoting "freebie culture" while implementing similar schemes in states it governs. This doublespeak undermines the credibility of political discourse and confuses voters about the actual nature and purpose of various initiatives.

The lack of clear definitions around what constitutes a "freebie" versus a "welfare scheme" further complicates the debate. Without standardized criteria, political parties can selectively categorize their initiatives to present them in the most favorable light, regardless of their actual nature or impact.

Conclusion

The BJP's approach to freebies across Indian states represents a complex interplay between political strategy, welfare objectives, and electoral considerations. While the party frequently criticizes opposition initiatives as "freebies," it has implemented numerous similar schemes in states it governs, including subsidized commodities, reduced power tariffs, smartphones and laptops for students, and various allowances for different demographic groups.

In the run-up to the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, the BJP has developed a strategy centered on continuing existing welfare schemes rather than introducing new direct cash transfers. This approach allows the party to provide benefits to key voter groups—Garib (poor), Yuva (youth), Annadata (farmers), and Nari (women)—while framing these initiatives as essential services rather than election freebies.

The debate around freebies versus welfare schemes remains unresolved, with no clear definition distinguishing between the two concepts. This ambiguity enables political parties to selectively categorize their initiatives based on political expediency rather than their actual nature or impact.

Financial sustainability remains a significant concern, as many freebie commitments represent long-term financial burdens on state budgets. With central government transfers to states already constrained, the implementation of extensive welfare initiatives raises questions about fiscal prudence and responsible governance.

As Indian politics continues to evolve, the role of freebies in electoral strategy will likely remain a contentious issue. While these initiatives may provide immediate benefits to voters, their long-term impact on democratic processes, economic sustainability, and governance ethics requires careful consideration and potentially clearer regulatory frameworks.

Sources

1. Freebies: Symbols of Funding in India Key Election Features
2. Is BJP Free From Politics of Freebies?
3. Freebies vs Welfare: Congress and BJP Clash as Polls Near
4. Battle of Freebies: Analysing the Freebie Tactics in the 2024 Lok Sabha Elections
5. Curb Freebies: Save the States From Fiscal Bankruptcy