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Sources told News18 that the promises are direct cash transfer for women, comprehensive insurance coverage, support for unemployed youth, unique ration kits for households, and free electricity up to 400 watts for lower-income group areas
Congress leaders from Punjab protest against the Aam Aadmi Party in the Capital ahead of the Delhi elections. (PTI)
The stage is set for an eyeball-to-eyeball confrontation between the Congress and the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) in Delhi.
Having come late to the poll fest despite earlier ruling the Capital for three terms, the Congress — snubbed by AAP — doesn’t want to cede an inch. Hence, similar to the guarantees it announced in other poll-bound states like Haryana and Maharashtra, in Delhi too, the Grand Old Party will announce five guarantees in a phased manner.
The idea behind phasing out the announcements is to ensure it keeps the momentum going and also so that the party can tweak its promises along the way in line with what other parties announce.
Sources say the five guarantees to be announced from January 6-11 are:
1. Direct Cash Transfer for Women: Aimed at empowering women voters, the Congress plans to introduce a direct cash transfer scheme.
2. Comprehensive Insurance Coverage: The party intends to offer insurance coverage worth over Rs 20-25 lakh for all residents, enhancing social security across the Capital.
3. Support for Unemployed Youth: To address unemployment, the Congress proposes cash incentives for jobless youth, coupled with apprenticeship training programmes to enhance their skills and employability.
4. Unique Ration Kits for Households: In an effort to support families, a distinctive ration kit containing daily essentials will be provided to households, ensuring access to necessary commodities.
5. Electricity: Like the AAP, the Congress too will announce free electricity up to 400 watts for lower-income group areas.
The Congress has a tough fight ahead as it has to challenge both the BJP and the AAP in a race where it has lagged behind. The AAP-Congress divorce means the INDIA bloc is doddering. The Congress also wants to target the same vote bank that it shares with AAP which has grown in Delhi at the cost of the Grand Old Party. While the latter hopes to rectify this, the task is easier said than done.
At the announcement of another sop from AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal, where he promised to waive off inflated electricity bills if his party comes to power, the former Delhi chief minister dismissed the Congress, saying: “Why do you take the Congress seriously? No one takes them seriously.”
The Congress, however, wants to take the fight seriously, even if it comes at the cost of the coalition. Fielding Sandeep Dikshit opposite Kejriwal and Alka Lamba opposite chief minister Atishi is part of this plan.
The guarantees will be formally launched by prominent Congress leaders, including president Mallikarjun Kharge, Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi, and Member of Parliament Priyanka Gandhi starting Monday.
