AAP finds itself surrounded by controversies in the lead-up to the Delhi Assembly elections due to the Sanjeevani Yojana and Mahila Samman Yojana. Two of these promised schemes involved offering free medical care for old-age homes and providing financial help for women. The two initiatives, as such, had fallen into disfavor, courtesy disownment by the health and WCD departments of the government.
The Health Department issued a public notice stating, “There is no such scheme as Sanjeevani Yojana. Any collection of personal details under its name is fraudulent.” The WCD also clarified that Mahila Samman Yojana has not been notified and warned citizens not to share their personal information.
This is after Chief Minister Atishi and AAP leader Arvind Kejriwal have engaged in campaigns, including doorstep registration for these schemes. As per AAP, more than 1.5 lakh registrations have been done in Sanjeevani while 13 lakh in Mahila Samman Yojana. However, the BJP has alleged that the party is misleading citizens. Criticizing AAP, Delhi BJP chief Virendra Sachdeva said, “They are selling fake schemes to cheat women and aged people.”
Two police complaints have also been filed, alleging AAP representatives of fraudulent collection of personal data. In one case, a woman complained that she was assured of benefits on the basis of her support for AAP in the upcoming elections.
AAP supported its stand, saying the BJP was behind the controversy only to divert attention from failures in governance. “BJP is panicking as our schemes are gaining people’s popularity,” said Kejriwal, even alleging that there might be an arrest and raids on AAP’s senior leaders.
This controversy comes amid a broader power struggle between the Delhi government and the Centre. While the Supreme Court had granted the Delhi government control over services, the Centre’s ordinance curtailed this authority, adding to tensions.
The unfolding political drama raises questions about the schemes’ validity and their role in Delhi’s heated electoral landscape.
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