'Were Not Able to Fulfill 2020 Promises, But...': Arvind Kejriwal Unveils AAP Manifesto for Delhi Polls

New Delhi: Accepting the failures of the AAP government in Delhi, its convenor Arvind Kejriwal admitted that his party did not fulfill all the promises made during the 2020 elections. Speaking at the manifesto release press conference on Monday, he accepted his government's shortcomings in addressing three key issues: clean drinking water, Yamuna rejuvenation, and good roads.  

“We were not able to fulfill our 2020 promises,” Kejriwal said, citing the Covid-19 pandemic as one of the factors that derailed the government’s plans. He also claimed that several AAP members were imprisoned due to what he called ‘false cases,’ which he said further hindered the government’s ability to meet its commitments.  

During the conference, Kejriwal assured the public that if AAP retains power, the government will prioritize these unfulfilled promises.

"Will ensure supply of clean drinking water, clean Yamuna, good roads in next five years if AAP comes to power in Delhi," said Kejriwal.

Kejriwal also announced 15 gaurentees for the Delhi Polls and promised to fulfill them within next 5 years if voted to power.

"We are issuing Kejriwal's guarantee for the Delhi Legislative Assembly elections. Whatever BJP , Congress , and other parties announce during elections, it's all just election 'Jumla' (gimmick). Today, we are issuing 15 guarantees, 15 Kejriwal guarantees, which will be fulfilled within the next 5 years."

In the first guarantee, Kejriwal promised to jobs all unemployed people in the national capital.

"The first guarantee is the guarantee of employment. According to central government data, Delhi has the lowest unemployment rate. Nationally, unemployment is 6 per cent, but in Delhi, it's only 2 per cent. But even if there is just one unemployed person, that's still an unemployed person. We want that there is no unemployed person in Delhi," he said.

In his party's second guarantee he promised to provide Rs 2,100 to every women under the Mahila Samman Yojana.
"The second guarantee is the Mahila Samman Yojana, under which every woman in the national capital will receive Rs 2,100 in her bank account every month. We will implement as soon as the government is formed," he said.

Under the third guarantee, Kejriwal promised to provide free medical treatemnt to the elderly.

"The third guarantee is the Sanjeevani Yojana, where I want to reassure our elderly citizens (60 years and above) that as long as I am alive, I will ensure they receive the best treatment, whether in a government hospital or a private one. The government of Delhi will bear all the expenses," he said.

Under the fourth guarantee, Kejirwal promised to waive off old water bills.

"Under the fourth guarantee, we will ensure correct water consumption bills. After coming to power, old water bills will be waived. I admit we could not clean Yamuna. In the next five years, we will ensure, the cleaning of river Yamuna, 24-hour water in households and make roads of Delhi of European standard," he said.

In the sixth guarantee, he promised to introduce the Ambedkar Scholarship scheme for financial assistance to Dalit students wanting to study in any international university.
"The sixth guarantee is the introduction of the Ambedkar Scholarship scheme to cover the cost of education, travel and stay of Dalit students wanting to study in any international university," he said.

"Seventh guarantee - Free travel on bus and 50% rebate in Delhi Metro for school/college students in Delhi. We will give honorarium amount of Rs 18,000 per month to temple and gurudwara priests," he said.

Kejriwal also promised to provide financial assistance of Rs one lakh for the wedding of daughters of auto-rickshaw, taxi and e-rickshaw drivers.

"Delhi govt will give Rs one lakh for the wedding of daughters of auto-rickshaw, taxi and e-rickshaw drivers. Their children will be given free coaching. We will also give life insurance worth Rs 10 lakh to them and medical insurance worth Rs 5 lakh for their family members," he said.

Kejriwal said that if they are voted to power they will install CCTV cameras and street lights and give funds to RWAs to appoint private security guards.

"It was BJP government's responsibility to ensure law and order in Delhi. We have installed CCTV cameras and street lights at various places. Taking this forward, Delhi govt will give funds to RWAs to appoint private security guards," he said.

He said that AAP government's previous 6 guarantees of free electricity, free water, free education, scheme for free pilgrimage for senior citizens, free bus travel for women and free treatment at Mohalla Clinics will continue as before.

(With Inputs from ANI)