Free education 'till PG' among sops promised by BJP in 2nd manifesto

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Tuesday unveiled the second part of its three-part manifesto for the upcoming Delhi assembly elections, promising free education from "KG to PG" (kindergarten to post-graduation) for needy students in government institutions.

- Paras Singh

NEW DELHI:

It also announced financial aid for competitive exam aspirants, scholarships for Scheduled Caste students, and welfare schemes for autorickshaw drivers, domestic workers.

BJP MP and former Union minister Anurag Thakur, while releasing the "Sankalpa Patra-2", also announced that if the party wins the elections, it will form a dedicated special investigation team (SIT) that will probe all alleged cases of "corruption" under the AAP in Delhi.

AAP chief and former CM Arvind Kejriwal hit back and said that the BJP will "shut down all welfare schemes" including free education in government schools if it comes to power.

The first part of the manifesto, launched last Friday by BJP national president JP Nadda, included ₹2,500 monthly allowances for women under the Mahila Samriddhi Yojana, subsidised cooking gas, and meals.

Nadda had pledged that the BJP would continue all existing welfare schemes by the AAP.

"Nadda ji had earlier presented his views before you regarding the developed Delhi resolution 2025. When we imagine a developed India, a developed Delhi has an important role in that vision," he said.

Thakur promised free schooling from "KG to PG" for needy students in government institutions.

The manifesto also announced a lump-sum of ₹15,000 in financial assistance for those preparing for competitive exams.

"We will help cover their commuting costs to appear in exams. The government will also pay the entrance exam fee twice," Thakur said.

The BJP also proposed monthly stipends of ₹1,000 under the Dr BR Ambedkar Stipend Scheme for students enrolled in Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs), skill centres, and polytechnics.