In a stunning betrayal of its own poll promise, the BJP’s four-engine government has dealt a double blow to Delhiites—first by plunging the capital into prolonged power cuts, and now by hiking electricity rates by 7%. The same BJP that promised 300 units of free electricity is now helping private power companies profit at the public’s expense.
Slamming the move, senior AAP leader and MLA Kuldeep Kumar said the BJP is burdening the people of Delhi with rising costs, in stark contrast to Arvind Kejriwal’s decade-long record of delivering 24×7 power and 200 units free at the cheapest rates in the country.
Addressing a press conference at the party headquarters on Monday, senior AAP leader and MLA Kuldeep Kumar said, “Ever since the BJP formed governments at all levels impacting Delhi, citizens have only received the ‘gift’ of inflation. Now, BJP is preparing to give Delhiites the next blow—expensive electricity.”
The AAP MLA asserted that for the last 10 years, the Arvind Kejriwal-led AAP government provided uninterrupted 24×7 electricity in Delhi. “We gave 200 units of electricity absolutely free and 200–400 units at half the cost. Delhi had the cheapest electricity in the entire country under the AAP government,” he said.
Kuldeep Kumar recounted that during the Delhi Assembly elections, the BJP had promised in its manifesto that it would provide 300 units of free electricity. “It has been over three months since they came to power, yet they have failed to deliver on this promise. Instead, during this peak summer, Delhiites are now facing 6–7 hours of daily power cuts. Under Arvind Kejriwal’s government, people had forgotten what power cuts were. They had even removed inverters from their homes. But today, they are being forced to install them again.”
He further revealed that alongside prolonged power outages, the BJP government is preparing to hike electricity tariffs by 7% in the peak months of May and June. “This will massively increase electricity bills for the people of Delhi. After coming to power by promising 300 units of free electricity, the BJP is now helping power companies profit by burdening the common man with expensive tariffs.”
Kuldeep Kumar drew a sharp contrast between the two governance models witnessed by Delhi’s residents. “On one side, we had Arvind Kejriwal’s government that ensured 24×7 electricity, 200 units free, and the lowest rates in India. On the other side, we now have BJP’s four-engine government that has failed to provide even basic electricity service, let alone affordable power. Instead, they are pushing a massive tariff hike.”
He pointed out that the BJP has systematically inflicted economic pain on the people of Delhi. “Since assuming power in Delhi, the BJP has continuously increased the burden on ordinary citizens. Whether it’s by allowing private school fee hikes or hiking electricity rates, their agenda is to benefit private players, not the public. People are now saying that while AAP’s government in half-state capacity gave them facilities for 10 years, BJP’s four-engine rule is only looting them.”
Kuldeep Kumar issued a stern warning to the BJP. “If the BJP proceeds with its plan to increase electricity tariffs, AAP will strongly oppose it at every level from the Opposition. We will not allow Delhi’s poor to suffer under unaffordable electricity bills. Delhiites have seen the BJP’s true face—false promises and failed delivery. They promised ₹2,500 for women and 300 units of free electricity. Till now, neither has been delivered. We demand that the BJP roll back its proposed tariff hike and fulfill its promise of 300 units of free electricity.”
