Delhi polls: Taking a leaf out of AAP’s book, why BJP & Congress are promising subsidies

To boost its support base, especially among the poor, ahead of next year’s Delhi Assembly polls both parties are offering free electricity -- AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal’s ‘first and popular revdi’ -- but bigger and better, say leaders.

Data also shows that the AAP government has spent Rs 24,944.65 crore in the last 10 years from 2014-15 on the power subsidy through discoms.

Written by: Gayathri Mani

5 min readNew DelhiDec 9, 2024 10:36 AM IST First published on: Dec 9, 2024 at 05:30 AM IST

After aiming brickbats at the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) over its ‘freebies’ — from electricity to water and free transport for women — both the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Congress have decided to switch tack ahead of the Delhi Assembly polls next year. To boost its support base, especially among the poor, both parties will offer free electricity — AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal’s ‘first and popular revri’ — but bigger and better, say leaders.

According to Delhi government officials, electricity subsidy has been in place since the Congress-led Sheila Dikshit government but zero bills for up to 200 units and 50% subsidy for up to 400 units were brought in by the AAP government. Full consumption charges are levied above 400 units currently.

In the revised budget estimates for 2024-25, the government has allocated an additional Rs 350 crore for the power subsidy scheme; it had set aside a budget of Rs 3,250 crore in March.

Data shows that on average, around 22 lakh families get zero bills while 40.22 lakh domestic electricity consumers avail benefits of the electricity subsidy from the Delhi government. Data also shows that the AAP government has spent Rs 24,944.65 crore in the last 10 years from 2014-15 on the power subsidy through discoms.

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What’s on offer

On its part, the BJP has announced that it will not only continue the electricity subsidy implemented by the ruling AAP government but extend it to commercial owners and middle-class residents if it comes to power. “The party has decided that all public welfare schemes will continue once it comes to power — the BJP will deliver it better than before and extend it to a new section of the public,” Delhi BJP Virendra Sachdeva had said last week while announcing the party’s ‘Meri Dilli Mera Sankalp BJP’ campaign.

Also Read | At Karol Bagh padyatra, AAP chief Kejriwal takes swipe at BJP: ‘They have ruined Delhi, every person living in fear’

Asked what more the BJP is offering to counter AAP, Sachdeva told The Indian Express: “All public welfare schemes running in Delhi will continue because these schemes are not run by any party, but is a government scheme by the state’s exchequer. If we come to power, we will reduce power surcharges such as PPAC (power purchase adjustment cost), pension charge, load, cess etc. This way other sections of society can also avail of the facility and discoms will get their income. This summer, for instance, the actual bill was Rs 40 but after surcharges, people were getting a bill of Rs 100. In Haryana, the commercial electricity consumption charge per unit is Rs 8. But in Delhi, it is Rs 18 to Rs 22 per unit… When Haryana can charge Rs 8 per unit (as a commercial charge) why can’t Delhi? These are the additions the BJP will bring once it comes to power. We are working on a plan.”

Asked about the party’s ‘free ki revdi’ jibe against the AAP previously, a senior BJP official said: “Following surveys and an analysis of the voting pattern in Delhi, the party has realised that the people care a lot about subsidy schemes — especially free bijli. This has been the AAP’s strong pitch due to which it gained popularity… and the voting percentage of the lower middle class is higher. However, a large number of the middle and upper middle class are not availing of this scheme… To crack that code, the BJP will pitch continuing the exciting subsidy, proving AAP wrong, and also promise to take the scheme to those sections that aren’t currently availing it.”

BJP officials said they have started preparing the manifesto and an initial draft is ready, and these schemes are likely to be added.

The Congress, meanwhile, has announced that it will not only provide the electricity subsidy but will double it by taking it to 400 units.

Delhi Congress president Devender Yadav, during the Dilli Nyay Yatra last week, said, “Congress will provide 400 units of free electricity when it comes to power, which will be an honest assurance unlike Kejriwal’s fake free power and water promises as he has only deceived the people…”

Yadav added, “Our party will also stop the loot of discoms and power consumers getting inflated power bills. Strict checks and balances will be enforced to ensure that the power distribution companies comply with rules and regulations.”

The AAP has consistently maintained the BJP will stop all subsidies if it is voted to power.

Attacking the BJP Saturday, after it launched its poll slogan — Ab nahi sahenge badal ke rahenge — Kejriwal wrote on X: “I had already said if they are voted to power, they will stop all the work that the AAP government has done in 10 years in collaboration with the people of Delhi… Today, they officially announced they will change everything. That means electricity will be cut off for 24 hours, then long power cuts will start, free electricity will stop, electricity bills of thousands of rupees will start coming every month, free bus travel for women will stop…”