New Delhi: The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) on Tuesday intensified its attack on the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government in Delhi, accusing it of failing to fulfill its election promise of providing Rs 2,500 per month to women in the capital, even after more than a year since the assembly election.
Atishi Questions CM and PM Over Delay
During a press conference on the assembly premises, Leader of the Opposition Atishi questioned Chief Minister Rekha Gupta and Prime Minister Narendra Modi over what she termed a “betrayal” of women voters. “The Prime Minister had assured that the amount would be credited on March 8, 2025. Both March 8, 2025, and March 8, 2026, have passed... Not a single rupee has reached women’s accounts. Women who trusted the promise are still waiting,” Atishi said.
Criticism of Campaigning in West Bengal
Atishi also targeted Gupta for campaigning in West Bengal, where the BJP is promising a monthly assistance of Rs 3,000 to women, while failing to deliver on its commitments in Delhi. She accused the BJP government of weakening welfare measures. “BJP has left no stone unturned in troubling Delhi’s women. Women who could earlier board DTC buses with dignity, knowing travel was free, are now standing in queues for pink cards. Women who went to mohalla clinics for free medicines, free treatment, and free tests are wandering from place to place,” she alleged.
MLAs Join the Attack
Burari MLA Sanjeev Jha alleged that the ruling party was using the assembly for “petty politics” instead of addressing public issues. Kondli MLA Kuldeep Kumar said the BJP must use the special session to clarify when the promised assistance would be credited. “BJP came to power on this assurance, but women are still waiting after a year. The party should honour its commitment in Delhi rather than making fresh promises elsewhere,” he added.
BJP Spokesperson Responds
Delhi BJP spokesperson Praveen Shankar Kapoor said the Delhi government was working on the promise and would soon deliver it. “Atishi should tell why her government did not give Mahila Samman Rashi in Delhi in 2024 and why, despite announcing in 2021, the AAP government in Punjab has not given it till today,” Kapoor asked. He added, “The BJP government is already giving women and old age pensions, and the number of beneficiaries has increased. Women are slowly making pink cards, and free tickets are still available on buses.”
