Congress has unveiled its manifesto for the upcoming Delhi Assembly elections, introducing five major guarantees aimed at providing financial relief and welfare benefits to residents.
The party has promised targeted support for women, unemployed youth, and economically weaker sections, emphasising its commitment to addressing inflation and unemployment.
As part of its key pledges, Congress has assured ₹2,500 per month to one woman in every poor household, a scheme inspired by its successful implementation in Karnataka.
The party has also promised free health coverage up to ₹25 lakh for all Delhi residents, drawing from a similar policy introduced in Rajasthan.
Another significant announcement includes a one-year apprenticeship programme for unemployed youth, offering a monthly stipend of Rs8,500 to support skill development and employment opportunities.
In an effort to ease the financial burden on households, Congress has committed to providing 300 units of free electricity to qualifying families and subsidised cooking gas at ₹500 per cylinder along with a free ration kit.
These measures, the party claims, will offer direct financial relief and improve the standard of living for Delhi’s residents.
Beyond these core guarantees, the party’s manifesto includes several other welfare commitments. Congress has vowed to restore 15,000 Civil Defence Volunteers, who play a crucial role in disaster management and emergency response.
It has also promised to reserve 33 per cent of state government jobs for women, aiming to increase their representation in the workforce. Senior citizens, widows, and persons with disabilities have been assured a monthly pension of ₹5,000 under the party’s proposed welfare schemes.
The manifesto also highlights the party’s plan to revive governance initiatives introduced during Sheila Dikshit’s tenure as Chief Minister. Congress leaders have stressed that social welfare schemes from that period played a significant role in Delhi’s development and should be strengthened further.
The party’s emphasis on these policies reflects its strategy to position itself as a viable alternative to the current AAP government.
Following the release of the manifesto, senior Congress leader Jairam Ramesh addressed the media, reiterating the party’s focus on public welfare and pollution control.
He underscored the importance of ensuring that these guarantees are seen as the rights of the people rather than just political promises. “A guarantee means that it is the right of the public. Congress has given five main guarantees for the Delhi elections,” Ramesh stated.
Speaking about pollution, a long-standing issue in Delhi, Ramesh criticised both the BJP and AAP governments for failing to address the problem adequately.
He argued that the primary concern for residents should be the quality of life rather than just economic growth. “In Delhi, the ease of doing business is not important, but the ease of breathing is important,” he remarked.
He also recalled the governance approach of former Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit, highlighting her administration’s efforts to combat pollution.
“I still remember when Sheila Dikshit was the CM, she took the help of the Japanese Government for the Yamuna Action Plan,” Ramesh said, contrasting her proactive measures with what he described as the current government’s inaction.
The Delhi Assembly elections will take place in a single phase on February 5, with results scheduled to be announced on February 8. A total of 699 candidates are contesting across 70 Assembly seats, making this a high-stakes election for all major political parties.
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