NEW DELHI: A day after the Election Commission of India (ECI) announced the schedule for Delhi’s assembly polls, Congress rolled out a major promise to the voters—a Rs 25 lakh health insurance cover under its proposed ‘Jeevan Raksha Yojna‘ if voted to power.
Senior Congress leader and former Rajasthan chief minister Ashok Gehlot described the proposed scheme as a potential game-changer.
This announcement represents the party’s first major move to regain political relevance in Delhi, where it has been out of power for more than a decade.
On Tuesday, ECI fixed February 5 as the polling date for Delhi’s 1.6 crore eligible voters, with results set to be declared on February 8.
The election is poised to be a three-cornered battle among AAP, BJP, and Congress, with stakes particularly high for the ruling Aam Aadmi Party.
Congress, which has seen its vote share plummet from 24.5% in 2013 to a mere 4.3% in 2020, is pinning its hopes on welfare-driven promises like the ‘Jeevan Raksha Yojna’ and the recently announced ‘Pyaari Didi Yojana,’ offering Rs 2,500 monthly assistance to women.
Party leaders have also highlighted the rollback of key welfare schemes initiated during Dikshit’s tenure, blaming AAP for neglecting the city’s development.
Despite lacking a prominent local leader, Congress has made early candidate announcements for most seats, fielding experienced grassroots politicians.
The party hopes to rebuild its connect with minorities and Dalits, even as its campaign faces hurdles such as defections to rival parties.
Congress is banking on its welfare schemes and the legacy of former chief minister Sheila Dikshit.