Delhi Election 2025: AAP, BJP, Congress manifestos compared — Who is winning the battle of freebies?

Delhi elections are scheduled to be held on February 5 while the results will be declared on February 8. (Representative Photo/PTI)

The run-up to the Delhi Assembly elections, scheduled to be held on February 5, has seen political parties offer a slew of freebies in a bid to woo voters and gain a leg up against their rivals. The

While welfare measures are seen as the biggest factor behind the ruling Aam Aadmi Party's victory in the national capital in the last two elections, the BJP, initially averse to the idea of offering 'revdis' as poll sops, also appears to have warmed up to the idea gradually.

Desperate to make its mark in the capital after two insignificant outings, the Congress has also lined up several promises that mirror the schemes offered by the AAP and BJP. As the poll date draw closer, here's a comparison of the major freebies offered by the three principal stakeholders in their poll manifestos for the coming Delhi elections.

Free Electricity

With welfare schemes, including cash transfers, largely credited for bringing the AAP to power twice in Delhi, no party wants to be seen lagging behind in promising the same benefits.

- The AAP manifesto promises free electricity up to 200 units and 50 percent subsidy rebate beyond the consumption of 200 units.

- The BJP manifesto promises that the existing scheme introduced by the AAP government will be retained.

- The Congress has gone a step further and promised up to 300 units of free electricity in its manifesto.

Cash Transfer to Women

Women form a significant and influential vote bloc in the capital and all three parties have promised measures to woo them.

- The AAP government, which introduced the Mukhyamantri Mahila Samman Yojana last year, has promised to increase the monthly cash transfer for women with family income of up to Rs 3 lakh per annum to Rs 2,100.

- The BJP has also announced the Mahila Samriddhi Yojana, promising Rs 2,500 per month for women from low-income households if it comes to power.

- The Congress, on the other hand, has announced the Pyari Didi Yojana, promising Rs 2,500 per month to women from low income families.

Free Healthcare

The schemes for free healthcare offered by the Centre and the Delhi government have often brought the BJP and AAP at loggerheads. This time, the Congress has also promised a scheme in this regard.

- The AAP manifesto has promised free healthcare in both private and govt hospitals for senior citizens under the Sanjeevani Yojana. There is no income cap for citizens to avail this benefit.

- The BJP has stuck to promising benefits under the Ayushman Bharat Scheme that provides a health cover of Rs 10 lakh for medical treatment of senior citizens and poor families.

- The Congress, on the other hand, has promised Rs 25 lakh health insurance coverage to be provided to all residents.

Old age pension

- The AAP government has announced to extend the pension scheme, announced earlier, to an additional 80,000 eligible individuals. The AAP's pension scheme promises Rs 2,000 per month to those aged between 60 and 69 years and Rs 2,500 per month for those aged above 70 and SC/ST and minority beneficiaries in the 60-69 years age bracket. Additionally, the government has announced plans to extend the pension benefits to differently-abled individuals with a monthly benefit of Rs 5,000.

- BJP has promised to increase the payout under the old age pension scheme for senior citizens from Rs 2,000 to Rs 2,500 per month. As per the BJP manifesto, pension for those aged above 70 years will be increased from Rs 2,500 to Rs 3,000.

- The Congress has made no promise in this regard.

Free Public Transport

- The AAP government, which already provides free bus travel for women, has promised to extend the benefit to all male school and college students along with a 50% discount on Delhi Metro fares.

- The BJP has promised to retain the AAP government's scheme providing free bus travel for women if it comes to power.

- The Congress has made no such promise.

LPG subsidy

- The BJP manifesto promises a subsidy of Rs 500 on LPG cylinders and a free cylinder on Holi and Diwali.

- The Congress, on the other hand, has promised to provide gas cylinders at Rs 500 along with free ration kits.

- The AAP has made no promise in this regard.

Standalone schemes

Other than the schemes and promises listed above, all three parties have announced other measures as well for the electorate ahead of the elections.

AAP promises: The AAP has promised Rs 10 lakh life insurance, Rs 5 lakh accident insurance, Rs 1 lakh for the wedding of each daughter and Rs 2,500 for uniforms to auto-rickshaw drivers who form a crucial support base for the party in the capital.

AAP has also announced the Dr Ambedkar Samman Scholarship Yojana that promises to provide coverage of fees and staying/travel costs for Dalit students who secure admission in international universities for pursuing higher education. Another significant measure announced by the AAP is the Pujari Granthi Samman Yojana that promises Rs 18,000 per month to all temple priests and Granthis of Gurudwaras.

BJP promises: Among the additional measures announced by the BJP include the Matru Suraksha Vandana scheme the promises to provide six nutrition kits and Rs 21,000 to every pregnant women. The party has also promised to provide nutritious meals to the poor at just Rs 5 at Atal Canteens.

Congress promises: The Congress party has promised to implement the Yuva Udaan Yojana which entails a monthly payout Rs 8,500 to jobless youth in the state for one year, along with providing apprenticeships in local industries.