Arvind Kejriwal, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) national convener, has criticised the central government for not allowing Delhi’s tableau to participate in the Republic Day parade.
Speaking during a press conference on Sunday, Kejriwal accused the government of indulging in politics and ignoring the sentiments of Delhi’s people.
Kejriwal emphasised that Delhi, as the nation’s capital, deserves representation in the annual parade held on 26 January. He questioned the rationale behind the exclusion, suggesting that it reflects disdain towards the city’s residents. He expressed disappointment, asking why Delhiites should support a government that denies them such recognition.
He went on to accuse the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of lacking a clear vision for the people of Delhi ahead of the upcoming assembly elections. According to him, the BJP has no narrative to offer and instead resorts to targeting him and his party with abusive language. Kejriwal questioned whether this approach was enough reason for the people of Delhi to vote for them.
Amidst his criticism, Kejriwal announced the launch of two welfare schemes—‘Mukhya Mantri Mahila Samman Yojana’ and ‘Sanjeevani Yojana’. Registration for both schemes is set to begin across the national capital on Monday.
The Mahila Samman Yojana will provide women in Delhi with a monthly allowance of Rs 2,100. Kejriwal assured women that they need not wait in queues for registration as the government has organised teams to assist with the process. These teams will visit homes to facilitate enrolment and provide beneficiaries with cards.
The Sanjeevani Yojana, aimed at supporting senior citizens above the age of 60, will cover medical expenses in both private and government hospitals. Kejriwal noted that the scheme could significantly benefit the elderly population of Delhi.
He estimated that the Mahila Samman Yojana would help around 35 to 40 lakh women, while the Sanjeevani Yojana could support approximately 15 lakh senior citizens. To access these benefits, individuals must possess a Delhi voter card. He encouraged residents to verify the status of their voter cards online to ensure eligibility.
Kejriwal also highlighted the recently announced Dr Ambedkar Scholarship, which aims to fund higher education for Dalit students in top universities worldwide. He stated that the Delhi government would fully support eligible students in covering their educational expenses.
Meanwhile, Delhi BJP chief Virendraa Sachdeva criticised the timing of these announcements. He referred to Kejriwal as a “master of announcements” and implied that these initiatives were politically motivated.
Kejriwal’s remarks and announcements come at a time when the political climate in Delhi is heating up, with both AAP and BJP preparing for the upcoming elections.
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