The Aam Aadmi Party’s 2025 Delhi election manifesto promises free bus travel, a 50% metro fare discount for students, and key schemes for women and marginalized communities.
As Delhi gears up for its 2025 Assembly elections on February 5, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has unveiled an ambitious manifesto focusing on public welfare and inclusivity. Party leader and former Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal announced a list of 15 key promises, dubbed “Kejriwal ki guarantees,” aimed at addressing the needs of students, women, and marginalized groups.
Table of Contents
Key Promises in AAP’s Manifesto
1. Free Public Transport for Students
The AAP has pledged free travel on Delhi’s public buses and a 50% concession on Metro fares for all school and college students. This initiative aims to make transportation more affordable and accessible for Delhi’s youth, empowering them to focus on education without financial strain.
2. Empowering Women with Financial Support
The Mahila Samman Yojana, a flagship initiative, promises ₹2,100 per month in direct cash transfers to eligible women beneficiaries. Expanding on its earlier free bus travel policy for women, the AAP plans to extend the benefit to female students as well, promoting greater mobility and independence.
3. Focus on Employment and Education
- Employment Guarantee: The manifesto emphasizes creating new job opportunities to tackle unemployment.
- Dr. BR Ambedkar Scholarship Scheme: Financial aid for Dalit students aspiring to study abroad, covering tuition, travel, and living expenses.
- Support for Temple and Gurudwara Priests: ₹18,000 monthly financial assistance for religious leaders.
4. Addressing Health and Water Challenges
- Sanjeevani Scheme: A new program for accessible medical treatment.
- Clean Yamuna and 24-Hour Water Supply: Kejriwal reiterated promises to clean the Yamuna River and provide uninterrupted drinking water, which he attributed to delays caused by the pandemic and political opposition.
Comparisons with BJP’s Manifesto
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has also been active in releasing promises aimed at key voter groups:
- Free Education: From pre-school to postgraduate levels for eligible students.
- Cash Assistance: ₹15,000 plus travel reimbursements for entrance exam candidates.
- Monthly Stipend for SC Students: ₹1,000 for those in technical and professional courses.
AAP’s Kejriwal criticized the BJP’s manifesto, highlighting clauses that restrict benefits to “eligible children” in government schools, contrasting it with AAP’s inclusive free education policy.
Why Women Voters Matter in 2025
Women voters have emerged as a significant demographic in the upcoming elections. With over 46% of Delhi’s registered voters being women, political parties, including the AAP, BJP, and Congress, are offering targeted promises.
- AAP: ₹2,100 per month under the Mahila Samman Yojana.
- Congress: ₹2,500 monthly under its “Pyari Didi Scheme.”
- BJP: ₹21,000 aid for pregnant women, among other benefits.
The competition to secure women’s votes underscores their importance in deciding the outcome of the 70-seat Assembly election, where AAP had a staggering majority of 62 seats in 2020.
AAP’s Track Record and Challenges
While the manifesto outlines ambitious plans, Kejriwal admitted that several promises from the 2020 manifesto remain incomplete, including the Yamuna clean-up and 24-hour water supply. He blamed these delays on:
- COVID-19 Pandemic: Diverting resources and attention.
- Political Targeting: Arrests of senior AAP leaders like Manish Sisodia on corruption charges.
Despite these setbacks, AAP is relying on its past performance and the popularity of its welfare schemes to secure another landslide victory.
Polling and Results Timeline
- Election Date: February 5, 2025 (Wednesday)
- Results Announcement: February 8, 2025 (Saturday)
With Delhi’s 70 Assembly seats up for grabs, political parties are leaving no stone unturned to appeal to diverse voter groups.
Conclusion
AAP’s 2025 election manifesto reflects its commitment to public welfare, with a strong focus on youth, women, and marginalized communities. From free bus travel and Metro concessions for students to financial support for women and Dalit students, the promises are designed to create an inclusive and progressive Delhi.
The real test, however, lies in voter sentiment on February 5, as the capital decides whether to give AAP another term or opt for a new direction under BJP or Congress.
