Delhi Chief Minister and AAP convenor Arvind Kejriwal with Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann addresses a press conference, in New Delhi, Sunday, May 12, 2024.
Credit: PTI Photo
New Delhi: Countering ‘Modi ki Guarantees’, Delhi Chief Minister and AAP supremo Arvind Kejriwal on Sunday unveiled ten ‘Kejriwal ki Guarantees’, which include free power for poor, round-the-clock power supply, free education for all in upgraded government schools, free health treatment, “freeing” land taken by China, and two crore jobs a year.
He also guaranteed MSP to farmers, full statehood for Delhi, discontinuation of Agniveer scheme, tough action against corruption, and trader friendly regime.
Announcing the guarantees at a press conference here, Kejriwal said he has not consulted I.N.D.I.A. partners due to paucity of time but expressed confidence that none of them would have problems in improving education, health and other sectors. He said he would ensure that an I.N.D.I.A. government would implement it in the next five years.
People will have to choose between ‘Modi ki Guarantee’ and ‘Kejriwal ki Guarantee’, said the Delhi CM while claiming that the Prime Minister is going to retire next year on turning 75 years. “Who will fulfil his guarantees? Kejriwal is not going anywhere,” he said.
These guarantees were first read out by Sunita Kejriwal, the Chief Minister's wife, at an I.N.D.I.A. rally in Ramlila Maidan to protest against his arrest.
He claimed that the previous Modi guarantees like Rs 15 lakh in every account, two crore jobs a year, doubling of farmers’ income by 2022, round-the-clock power supply by 2022, and bullet train between Sabarmati and Mumbai by 2022, among others, remain unfulfilled.
However, he said, the guarantees by Kejriwal, like mohalla clinics, free power, and schools are among others were fulfilled. “The Kejriwal guarantee is a brand in itself,” he said.
Listing his guarantees, Kejriwal said 24X7 power supply, good education and health facilities, and arranging two crore jobs for youths every year are part of it.
On the power sector, he said the I.N.D.I.A. government will ensure 24X7 power supply besides providing free electricity for the poor. He said India has the capacity to produce three lakh megawatts of power, but it is unable to provide power when the demand its peak time is only two lakh megawatt because the management is bad.
“We worked on management to ensure 24x7 power supply in Punjab and Delhi. We can do it in the entire country,” he said adding the cost per year would only be Rs 1.25 lakh crore.
Government schools will be upgraded and free education will be provided for all. Those who want can go to private schools but the government schools will also have the same quality of education, he said, adding that Rs 5 lakh crore would be needed for five years and half of it would be borne by the Centre.
On the health sector, Kejriwal said mohalla clinics will be opened across India along with multi-speciality hospitals in all districts. The cost is estimated at Rs five lakh crore for five years with Centre and states sharing the cost.
On national security, he said, “Rashtra Sarvopari (Nation First and Foremost) is our guarantee. China has occupied our land and we will free it from their occupation," he said. Kejriwal also promised to provide full statehood to Delhi.
"BJP inducts all corrupt people in their party. BJP's washing machine will be dismantled publicly. We will come up with a system for hassle-free trade and business in the country," he said.