The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has handed over a fiscally strong and revenue-surplus economy to the incoming Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government, ensuring there are no financial roadblocks to fulfilling the promises made to Delhi’s citizens, said senior AAP leader and outgoing Chief Minister Atishi. She highlighted that under AAP’s governance, Delhi’s budget has grown from ₹31,000 crore in 2014-15 to ₹77,000 crore in 2024-25, with the state maintaining a revenue surplus since 2015.
Taking a sharp dig at the BJP, Atishi said that the party will cook up a “financial crisis” as an excuse to evade its electoral commitments, particularly the promise of ₹2,500 per month for every woman in Delhi by 8th March. She warned that the BJP, instead of prioritizing governance, appears focused on internal power struggles and shifting blame onto AAP to cover up its failures. She reiterated that the people of Delhi are watching and expect the BJP to uphold its ‘Modi Ji Ki Guarantee’ without excuses.
Senior AAP leader and outgoing CM Atishi stated, “During the Delhi elections, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) made several promises to the people. They distributed a leaflet under ‘Modi Ji Ki Guarantee,’ with the first promise stating that every woman in Delhi would receive Rs 2,500 per month as financial assistance. BJP repeatedly assured that as soon as their government was formed, this decision would be taken in the first Cabinet meeting, and by 8th March, the first installment of Rs 2,500 would be deposited into the accounts of every woman in Delhi.”
Atishi shared that however, sources within the BJP have revealed that not only do they have no intention of fulfilling this promise, but they also have no plans to honour any of the other commitments made during the elections. “Right now, BJP leaders are embroiled in internal fights over ministerial positions, each vying for control over departments to maximise their share of loot. Their strategy is to shift the blame for their unfulfilled promises onto the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), claiming that they couldn’t deliver due to an alleged financial crisis in the Delhi government. They will attempt to use this excuse to cover up their own loot and justify breaking their promises.”
She added, “As the outgoing Chief Minister, I want to present the economic growth Delhi has achieved under AAP’s governance over the past ten years. This will ensure that BJP cannot make excuses in the future and is held accountable for fulfilling its promises to the people.”
Highlighting Delhi’s economic growth under AAP, the outgoing CM shared that when the AAP government was formed in 2015, Delhi’s total budget stood at Rs 31,000 crore. Delhi’s budget is based entirely on its own revenue, as the city does not receive financial aid from the Centre. To put this into perspective, over the previous five years (2009-2014), the budget had grown by only Rs 6,000 crore, increasing from Rs 25,000 crore to Rs 31,000 crore.
Atishi asserted, “After AAP came to power, the budget saw a historic increase. In 2024-25, the Delhi Assembly presented a budget of Rs 77,000 crore—an astonishing rise of Rs 46,000 crore in just ten years. Under Arvind Kejriwal’s leadership, Delhi’s economy grew more than two and a half times, from Rs 31,000 crore to Rs 77,000 crore, demonstrating AAP’s commitment to financial strength and development.”
Highlighting Delhi’s reduced debt burden under AAP’s governance, the outgoing CM added that in 2014, when AAP took over from the Congress government, Delhi had inherited a debt burden. A government’s financial health is assessed through the Debt-to-GDP ratio, which stood at 6.6% in 2014. Over the years, AAP systematically reduced this burden, bringing it down to 3.9% by 2023. Today, as we leave office in 2024, Delhi’s Debt-to-GDP ratio stands at just 3%—a testament to AAP’s sound fiscal management. Unlike previous governments, which left behind heavy debt, Arvind Kejriwal’s government has not only managed Delhi’s finances efficiently but has also repaid past liabilities.
Atishi continued, “In Bharatiya Janata Party-ruled Uttar Pradesh, where the BJP has been in power for several years, the debt-to-GDP ratio is 32.5%. In Madhya Pradesh, it stands at 33%. In contrast, the Aam Aadmi Party government has kept Delhi’s debt at just 3%. The CAG’s 2022 report clearly stated that Delhi is the only revenue-surplus state in the country. And since when? Since 2015, when the Aam Aadmi Party came to power in Delhi.”
The outgoing CM told the BJP, “Arvind Kejriwal’s government is handing over an economy that has witnessed growth and a financial boom. The BJP made several promises to the people of Delhi, and I hope they do not resort to financial excuses or falsehoods but instead fulfill these promises. In particular, they must fulfill their commitment to provide Rs. 2,500 per month to every woman in Delhi, a promise that is supposed to be passed in their first Cabinet meeting and credited into bank accounts by 8 March. We expect the BJP to honor its commitments.”
During a media interaction, the outgoing CM was asked about Mohalla Clinics being renamed, to which she responded, “We would advise BJP leaders to focus on work instead of renaming schemes. The people of Delhi have given them a mandate, but from what we are hearing, it seems their intention is not to serve but to loot and then shift the blame onto AAP. Today, as we hand over the financial reins of Delhi, let it be known that the AAP government has increased Delhi’s budget 2.5 times in the past 10 years, proving that Delhi remains a revenue-surplus state.”
She added that AAP expects the BJP to fulfill its promises, starting with their commitment in the first Cabinet meeting to provide Rs. 2,500 per month to every woman in Delhi. The people are waiting for this amount to be credited by 8 March.
