Two-pronged litmus test for AAP's 'Delhi model'

Both BJP and Congress are chalking out strategies to make the most of the anti-incumbency that may have set in during the Aam Aadmi Party's 10 years in office, writes ARCHIS MOHAN

- ARCHIS MOHAN

In a couple of months from now, the country's biggest, its oldest and its youngest national parties, would face off in a triangular contest for the Delhi Assembly polls. The first two, namely the biggest, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), and the oldest, the Congress, would share a rare common agenda of defeating the third – the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), the latest to secure the 'national party' tag.

The term of Delhi Assembly expires on February 23, and the polls are likely in the middle of February. The contours of the battle have already been set. The AAP has taken to showcase its 'Delhi model', comprising affordable and quality education and healthcare, free transport for women, expansion of Delhi Metro network, free water supply up to 20,000 litres and lower electricity tariffs. The BJP and Congress have called out the 'Delhi model' as a hoax, built on sustained propaganda when the ground reality is different.

Earlier this week, AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal and Delhi Chief Minister (CM) Atishi announced the rollout of the CM Mahila Samman Scheme, under which the state government will deposit a monthly allowance of ₹1,000 in the bank accounts of women, and promised to increase it to ₹2,100 if the party were to return to power. However, with registration of women beneficiaries to begin later this week, it is unlikely that the first instalment would be disbursed before the Election Commission announces the schedule for polls.

Over the years, women have emerged as a committed support base for the AAP. According to think tank CSDS' exit poll data for the 2020 Assembly elections, 60 per cent women said they voted for AAP compared to 49 per cent men. The BJP and Congress, in contrast, received 8 percentage and 2 percentage points lower vote share, respectively, among women as compared to men.