The Aam Aadmi Party has sharply criticized the BJP’s manifesto. Senior AAP leader Reena Gupta called it a “deceitful document filled with empty promises.” She drew parallels with the BJP’s actions in Maharashtra, where women were initially promised ₹4,500 under the ‘Laadki Bahin Yojana’ but later faced demands for recovery.
Reena Gupta further pointed out that while the BJP has funds to waive 10 lakh crore rupees in loans for its friends, it lacks money for women. She urged Delhi’s women to question BJP leaders when they promised ₹2,500, asking why they are reclaiming money from women in Maharashtra. Reena Gupta emphasized that while the BJP deceived women in Maharashtra, the women of Delhi will not be fooled.
Senior AAP leader Reena Gupta pointed out that Amit Shah unveiled the third episode of the Bharatiya Janata Party’s ‘Sankalp-Patra’ (manifesto) for Delhi, yesterday. She remarked, “This manifesto is nothing but a ‘thug patra’ (document full of deceits), filled with promises they have no intention of fulfilling.”
Highlighting the BJP’s track record, Reena Gupta stated, “You can look at their 2020 manifesto—none of those promises have been fulfilled to date.” She further noted the events surrounding the recent elections in Maharashtra. “In November, the BJP deliberately delayed the elections by several months just to launch their ‘Ladli Behan Yojana’ for the women of Maharashtra,” she said.
The AAP senior leader explained that before the elections, ₹4,500 was deposited into the accounts of women under this scheme, creating a sense of trust. “Naturally, the women of Maharashtra thought, ‘At least the BJP is thinking about us and offering us some benefits through this scheme,’” she added.
Reena Gupta continued, “But look at the news published in all the newspapers yesterday. It has now come to light that the Maharashtra government used this scheme to lure the women of Maharashtra into their trap.”
She added, “Think about it—around 30 lakh women in Maharashtra, whose accounts received ₹4,500 under the Ladli Behan Yojana, are now being forced to return that money. Where will these women arrange the money to pay it back?”
Reena Gupta emphasized, “Today, I want to send a message to the women of Delhi: When BJP leaders come to your area claiming they are offering ₹2,500 for Delhi’s women, ask them, What happened to the women of Maharashtra? Tell them, “We will not let you deceive us here in Delhi.”
She further questioned the BJP’s intentions, saying, “In Maharashtra, they are now claiming they don’t have the funds. If you didn’t have the money, why did you launch the scheme? Why deposit money into their accounts only to recover it later? Is this the plan for Delhi too? Will you introduce schemes here just to trap the people?”
She added, “In Delhi, they will only implement these schemes and try to deceive the people of Delhi.” Reena Gupta contrasted the BJP’s approach with that of Arvind Kejriwal, stating, “On the other hand, look at Arvind Kejriwal. Whatever he promises, he delivers.”
She highlighted his accomplishments, saying, “Be it free electricity, free water, free bus rides, or pilgrimage trips for senior citizens—Arvind Kejriwal has never said, We’re out of funds, now we’re ending this scheme, or Recover the cost of the electricity you’ve used.”
Praising his leadership, she added, “Arvind Kejriwal is an honest and educated leader. He knows how to manage a budget. Under his leadership, Delhi’s budget has grown from ₹30,000 crore to ₹77,000 crore without cutting back on any public services.”
Reena Gupta concluded with a strong message, saying, “So today, I urge all the women of Delhi: If BJP leaders come to you with promises of any scheme, whether it’s for pregnant women or ₹2,500 benefits, ask them this: Why are you recovering money from your sisters in Maharashtra after launching schemes there?
She added, “When it comes to waiving ₹10 lakh crore loans for their rich friends, they have no shortage of funds. But when it comes to women and common citizens, they suddenly claim they have no money.”
She continued, “But while shutting down schemes for women in Maharashtra, they are now claiming they don’t have funds. Why didn’t they think about this before launching the scheme? This is why the women of Delhi—mothers and sisters alike—need to stay alert. We must ensure we don’t mistakenly press the lotus symbol. We must press the jhaadu symbol for a better Delhi. ”
Reena Gupta assured the women of Delhi, saying, “The schemes Arvind Kejriwal has promised will be implemented after the elections. He has already made all the provisions, calculations, and budget arrangements for them.” She added, “He won’t do what the BJP did in Maharashtra—deposit money into women’s accounts only to try and recover it later.”
Reena Gupta said that in Maharashtra, they first promised ₹1,500, then claimed they would increase it to ₹2,100 after the elections. However, instead of increasing the amount, they are now trying to recover the money that was already deposited into women’s accounts.
Addressing the women directly, she said, “To all the mothers and sisters of Delhi: we won’t fall for the BJP’s deceitful tactics. We know that if there is anyone who truly cares for us, it is Arvind Kejriwal. We all want ₹2,100 per month, and for that, we will press the broom symbol and ensure a landslide victory for the AAP.”
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