New Delhi [India], January 17 : Former wrestler and Congress MLA Vinesh Phogat took a swipe at the Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) manifesto on Friday and accused the party of 'copy-pasting' the schemes in their 'Sankalp Patra' for the assembly elections in Delhi.
Speaking to ANI, Vinesh Phogat said, "Whatever promises our party has made, we will fulfil them. Our party has seen struggles and we have toiled for the welfare of the public. If you read the history of our party, you will see how it has worked for the public."
Reacting to the BJP's manifesto for the Delhi polls, Phogat said, "They are copy-pasting schemes. The manifesto promises to provide Rs 2500 financial assistance to women. That is also copy-paste. It's funny how they are also talking about providing food at Rs 5. You don't even get a bottle of water at that price."
For the AAP government in Delhi, Phogat said, "The days of Arvind Kejriwal are over. Both the BJP and AAP make promises about the Ganga and Yamuna for the sake of votes, but when it comes to action, neither party remembers these rivers."
This comes after BJP on Friday launched the party's 'Sankalp Patra' for the Delhi assembly elections with a key focus on improving healthcare, empowering women, supporting senior citizens, and ensuring better access to essential services.
The party pledged to roll out new schemes and enhance existing ones to create a more inclusive and supportive environment for the people of Delhi.
BJP National President and Union Minister JP Nadda launched the party's Delhi Assembly election manifesto on Friday.
Among the major promises, the BJP announced a series of welfare initiatives for women, starting with the provision of six nutritional kits and Rs 21,000 in financial assistance under the Matritva Suraksha Yojana to ensure the health and well-being of pregnant women.
Under the Mahila Samriddhi Yojana, the BJP has proposed monthly financial assistance of Rs 2,500 for women in Delhi, aimed at empowering them economically.
To support low-income families, the BJP promised to provide LPG cylinders at Rs 500 to women from such households. The party also committed to offering one free cylinder each on the occasions of Holi and Deepawali.
The manifesto also highlighted the party's focus on healthcare, with a promise to implement the central government's Ayushman Bharat Yojana in Delhi, providing free treatment up to Rs 5 lakh. The state government would add another Rs 5 lakh cover for low-income households, ensuring comprehensive medical care.
In a step towards improving the quality of life in underserved areas, the BJP proposed the launch of Atal Canteens in JJ clusters to provide nutritious meals for just Rs 5, among other key promises.
Earlier, Congress leader Sachin Pilot unveiled the party's 'Yuva Udaan Yojana,' scheme aimed at providing Rs 8500 financial assistance and skill development opportunities for unemployed educated youth in Delhi.
Speaking to the media, Sachin Pilot said, "The people of Delhi are set to elect a new government on February 5. In preparation, we are presenting guarantees for the citizens. Under the Yuva Udaan Yojana, our party has decided to provide Rs 8,500 per month to educated but unemployed youths in Delhi for one year."
"This support is not limited to financial assistance; we aim to connect these individuals with industries aligned with their training to secure long-term employment opportunities," he added.
Nationalist Congress Party, which is an ally of BJP in the National Democratic Alliance, on Friday released a list of 30 candidates for the Delhi assembly elections.
The party, led by Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, has fielded Vishvanath Agarwal from New Delhi against AAP leader Arvind Kejriwal. BJP's Parvesh Verma and Congress' Sandeep Dikshit are other candidates for the seat.
The party has fielded Zameel from the Kalkaji constituency. Delhi Chief Minister Atishi, BJP's Ramesh Bidhuri and Congress' Alka Lamba are in the fray from the seat, among others.
Delhi Assembly elections are slated for February 5 and votes will be counted on February 8.
A three-way contest is on the cards in Delhi with leaders of AAP, BJP and Congress making attacks against each other.
Congress, which was in power for 15 consecutive years in Delhi, suffered setbacks in the last two assembly elections and failed to win any seat.
AAP dominated the 2020 assembly elections by winning 62 out of 70 seats while the BJP got eight seats.