Will raise monthly allowance from Rs 1,000 to Rs 2,100 if AAP returns to power: Kejriwal

“Today, I am going to make two big announcements. Both are for my sisters and mothers. I promised that I would send Rs 1,000 to every woman in Delhi. I am happy to announce that the Atishi-led Cabinet has approved the Mahila Samman Rashi scheme today,” he told a gathering.

“Today, I am implementing the Rs 1,000 scheme but after the polls, I will give Rs 2,100 to all my sisters and mothers. If you want to receive this money every month, vote for Kejriwal, vote for the AAP, and help us win more than 60 seats,” he added.

Kejriwal said he made this announcement in March and had hoped to implement it by April-May. “But they (BJP) put me in jail in a false case. I was in jail for six or seven months but after my release from jail, I have been working on this with Atishi to implement this scheme… I am very happy that… the scheme is now a reality.”

“Election dates will be announced in a week or two, so, women may not receive the amount for now, as transferring money before polls is not possible. But I assure that this scheme has been implemented and once the polls are over, you will receive the amount in your account every month…,” he added.

“My second biggest announcement is that I will increase the amount and make it Rs 2,100,” he further said.

Kejriwal maintained that the Delhi government will not face any deficit, rather its revenue will flourish by empowering a woman-centred scheme.

He said, “People said Kejriwal won’t be able to implement this scheme but when Kejriwal makes a promise, he fulfils it… The BJP says, ‘where’s the money, the government does not have the money’. They said the same thing in 2013, when I announced the electricity subsidy scheme… But I want to tell the BJP, ‘main jaadugar hoon accounts ka (I am a magician when it comes to accounts)’. I know how to bring the money, where to spend and save.”

Appealing to the women to vote for AAP, Kejriwal said, “If anyone asks you ‘from where will he (Kejriwal) bring the money’, tell them, ‘Kejriwal jadugar hai, wo apni chadi ghumayenge or paise aajayega (Kejriwal is a magician, he will waive his magic wand and the money will come)’.”

He added that while people are predicting that AAP will win 45 or 50 seats in the polls, “I believe… AAP will win over 60, maybe even 65 seats”.

“I want to appeal to all my sisters and mothers… Each of your vote matters. Vote for us and give us more than 60 seats… Our victory is in your hands… Otherwise, these people are very cunning. If we win with fewer seats, they will meddle with the government and buy our MLAs,” he said.

Kejriwal further said that AAP will start the registration for the Rs 2,100 scheme in the next two to three days. “AAP volunteers will visit every street and household. Get yourself registered, they will provide you with a registration card. Keep it safe. After the polls, Rs 2,100 will be deposited in your accounts.” He claimed that if the BJP came to power, it would not implement the scheme.

The Delhi BJP and Congress, meanwhile, accused AAP and Kejriwal of making false promises.

Delhi BJP president Virendra Sachdeva said, “Kejriwal is a wizard of corruption. The AAP government made a similar promise in Punjab before state elections and failed to deliver it… Punjab’s women are still waiting to receive the money… Similarly, he made false promises in Delhi. Before the Lok Sabha polls, they collected forms from women, promising them of starting the scheme from September. However, no funds have been distributed till date…”

“Why did the Cabinet take 10 months to approve this scheme, while it was announced in February… Now, very soon, he will blame the L-G for the delay in the scheme,” Sachdeva added.

Delhi Congress president Devender Yadav said, “Rs 2,100 per month for the mothers and sisters of Delhi is Kerjiwal’s latest false promise. He failed to give Rs 1,000 first before the polls… This announcement is nothing but a political stunt… He made a similar promise in Punjab also and the mothers and sisters there have not received a penny.”