Arvind Kejriwal’s 10 guarantees for Lok Sabha elections

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal announcing ‘10 guarantees of Kejriwal’

A day after he was released by the Supreme Court on a conditional bail in the alleged excise scam case, Delhi Chief Minister and Aam Admi Party Convenor Arvind Kejriwal jumped into electoral campaigning by releasing his party’s manifesto, listing 10 promises, ranging from free education and electricity to full statehood for Delhi and an end to Agniveer, a controversial short-term recruitment scheme for the Indian Army launched by the government a few years ago.

Addressing a press conference in Delhi a day after he was released, Kejriwal called the 10 promises as ‘10 guarantees of Kejriwal’ in apparent reference to Bharatiya Janata Party’s manifesto that is called “Modi ki Guarantee”.

Kejriwal told the media persons that the 10 guarantees given by him would be implemented on a war-footing and include liberating Indian territory under Chinese occupation and setting up of free ‘Mohalla Clinics’ all over India, if the INDIA bloc, which includes AAP, forms the next government at the Centre. The opposition bloc, which has parties such as Congress, Trinamool Congress, Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam, besides AAP, among others as its members, was formed a few months ago to take on the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance in the Lok Sabha polls.

“BJP has always failed on its promises; my guarantees have proven track record. People have to take a call whether to go for ‘Kejriwal ki Guarantee’ or ‘Modi ki Guarantee,” says Kejriwal at press conference.

Here are the 10 guarantees announced by Kejriwal.

Guarantee of electricity: Kejriwal said that despite a significant surplus in electricity production, the nation still grapples with frequent power cuts due to poor management. He has pledged 24-hour electricity availability nationwide, besides providing 200 units of free electricity every month to the poor. But with the national power distribution sector grappling with debts of over INR 1200 billion, as of April 2023, implementing promise of 200 free units to each household could come with its own challenges, especially since more than 80 pc of nation’s households would easily qualify for this.

Guarantee of education: Kejriwal’s second significant commitment relates to providing free quality education for all, once again taking a leaf out of his schemes currently operational in Delhi. But for Kejriwal to implement this at a national level would mean more than doubling the government expenditure on education. While the World Bank has recommended that governments should spend 6 pc of GDP on education, in India the figure varies between 2.9 pc and 3.1 pc of GDP, depending on the parameters used.

Guarantee of health:  Kejriwal has also promised to establish Mohalla clinics nationwide and upgrade district hospitals to super specialty facilities. By offering free healthcare services at these facilities, he aims to eliminate the need for insurance schemes, which he criticises as fraudulent. However, the current state of the Indian healthcare system presents significant challenges. Despite efforts to improve access and quality of care, issues such as inadequate infrastructure, shortage of medical personnel, and unequal distribution of resources persist. Addressing these systemic issues alongside Kejriwal’s ambitious healthcare guarantees will be essential to ensure comprehensive and sustainable healthcare for all citizens.

Guarantee of MSP to farmers: Kejriwal also promised that farmers will be provided a legally-bound Minimum Support Price for their crops, as per the Swaminathan Commission report. “You can give a life of dignity to the farmers, if you are paying them full prices for their crops,” he added, reflecting the promises made by his coalition partners and which meet a long-pending demand of farmers, especially in the northern states who have been agitating for a guaranteed MSP.

Guarantee of land reclamation from China: Arvind Kejriwal’s pledge to address Chinese encroachment on Indian territory underscores the longstanding border tensions between India and China. Despite denials from the Centre regarding any incursions, Kejriwal emphasises the global awareness of these encroachments, citing evidence from satellite images. However, the complex dynamics between India and China, characterised by historical grievances and geopolitical competition, present formidable challenges. As both nations navigate their strategic interests, diplomatic efforts and military strength will play crucial roles in achieving a peaceful resolution to border disputes.

Guarantee to end Agniveer scheme: Arvind Kejriwal’s pledge to end the Agniveer, a highly controversial scheme introduced by the government in 2022, which enlists youth in the armed forces for a limited four-year duration, reflects concerns about its impact on individuals and their families. Under the scheme, many have experienced hardships and uncertainties due to prolonged separation from their loved ones and the inherent risks associated with military service. Kejriwal’s assurance of halting new enlistments and providing permanent postings for existing recruits aims to alleviate the distress caused by the scheme’s limited service period. While removing the 4-year limit on service may prove popular with Army recruits,  Evaluating the scheme’s implications and addressing the grievances of those affected will be crucial in determining the way forward for military recruitment policies in India.

Guarantee of statehood: Kejriwal also said Delhi will be given statehood adding that it has been the right of the people of Delhi for many decades.

Guarantee of employment: While the AAP promises to generate 20 million new jobs annually to tackle unemployment, the reality remains stark. The International Labour Organization (ILO) highlights that nearly 83 pc of the unemployed in India are young individuals. Among these, approximately 66 pc are educated. Surprisingly, in 2022, the unemployment rate among graduates was nearly nine times higher, standing at 29.1 pc, compared to those who could neither read nor write, at just 3.4 pc. How can such discrepancies in unemployment rates be addressed while striving to fulfill the promise of creating millions of new jobs annually?

Guarantee against corruption: While Arvind Kejriwal vows to eradicate corruption, he squarely blames the BJP‘s “washing machine” for being the primary driver of corruption in the country. However, the Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) paints a grim picture, with India ranking 93 out of 180 countries in terms of corruption. Despite the Modi regime’s tenure spanning a decade, there is little evidence to suggest a decline in petty corruption. Conversely, substantial evidence indicates a rise in high-profile corruption cases. Kejriwal himself faces corruption charges linked to an alleged liquor policy scam.

Guarantee of GST: Kejriwal promised to simplify GST by removing it from PMLA regulations and said his aim is for India to surpass China in the manufacturing sector.