On the morning of December 25, a public notice issued by the Women and Child Development (WCD) Department of Delhi began circulating widely, warning citizens, particularly women, about an ongoing fraud. The notice specifically referenced two purported schemes—Mahila Samman Yojana and Sanjeevani Scheme—both announced by former Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal. The Mahila Samman Yojana promised Rs 2,100 per month to every woman above 18 years, while the Sanjeevani Scheme pledged healthcare benefits for senior citizens.
In the notice, the WCD Department clarified, “No such schemes have been announced. Citizens are advised not to fall prey to such false promises.”
The warning comes amidst reports of Kejriwal distributing “promise letters” promoting these schemes, despite their non-existence. Critics have pointed out that these are part of a broader trend of unfulfilled promises and misleading claims under the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government led by Kejriwal. Similar to the now-debunked schemes, several other grand promises made by the AAP government have also been criticised as mere white lies, raising questions about the credibility of its governance.
It is noteworthy that, for ten years, Arvind Kejriwal and his Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) have presented themselves as champions of change and transparency in Delhi. Yet, despite grandiose promises of transforming the capital into a utopia of healthcare, education, and public services, the reality has been far from the hype. Kejriwal’s tenure has been marked by a series of unkept promises, failed projects, and growing resentment among the city’s residents. Here’s a deep dive into the 10 biggest lies that have come to haunt the AAP government, turning Kejriwal’s reign into a series of bitter disappointments.
1. Free Healthcare Revolution — A Complete Deception
Kejriwal’s bold claim of revolutionising healthcare with the launch of Mohalla Clinics has quickly fallen apart. Initially touted as the solution to Delhi’s healthcare woes, these clinics have turned into a source of public ridicule. Poor infrastructure, lack of proper medical supplies, and the absence of trained doctors have rendered these clinics ineffective. In fact, some clinics have even been reported to have turned into breeding grounds for disease, with allegations of substandard medications leading to fatalities. Delhi’s hospitals remain overburdened, with no significant increase in capacity, leaving citisens frustrated and desperate for medical care.
2. Education Reform That Would Rival the World’s Best — An Empty Promise
Kejriwal’s promise of an education revolution in Delhi was sold as one of the key pillars of his government. With claims of transforming government schools into world-class institutions, Kejriwal’s focus was meant to be on quality education for all. Instead, the reality has been disastrous. A staggering 1.5 lakh students were failed in key exams, and more than 700 schools lack science education. Delhi’s education system is in dire straits, with the dropout rate rising and the promise of quality education fading away into oblivion. Far from world-class, Delhi’s schools are now seen as underfunded, overrun with administrative inefficiency, and deeply underperforming.
3. Free Ration for Every Family — The Ration Card Scandal
The AAP’s promise of providing free ration to Delhi’s poor has turned into a nightmare. Over 10 lakh residents remain without ration cards, leaving them without access to essential government-provided food. While Kejriwal made headlines by announcing that Delhi would provide free ration, the reality has been a different story. The central government’s Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana aimed at helping the poorest has not reached the people it was meant to serve, and allegations of ration diversion and corruption have been reported. Delhi’s poorest continue to suffer, and the free ration promise has remained a distant mirage.
4. Cheap and Reliable Electricity for All — An Unfulfilled Pledge
Arvind Kejriwal promised to bring down electricity prices and ensure a steady supply to all. But electricity bills have skyrocketed under his rule, with faulty meters and inflated charges leading to anger and protests. Even worse, there has been no regulation of private electricity suppliers, leaving citizens at the mercy of unaccountable private entities. Power cuts are common in many areas, especially in lower-income neighborhoods, and many Delhiites continue to face the double blow of high bills and unreliable service.
5. A Transport System That Works for Everyone — A Broken Dream
Public transportation was another area where Kejriwal promised to bring about a revolution. His government’s promises of introducing a fleet of buses, improving Metro connectivity, and creating a sustainable transport system have failed to materialise. The Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) continues to bleed money, and employees have gone on strikes due to unpaid wages. The public transport system is plagued by delays, overcrowding, and a lack of maintenance. The government’s failure to recruit enough staff has left commuters struggling to cope with an inefficient and crumbling system.
6. Building World-Class Hospitals for All — A Pipe Dream
Kejriwal’s healthcare promise was supposed to include the creation of several new hospitals and advanced healthcare facilities. However, the reality is far from the promise. Despite receiving substantial funds, the construction of new hospitals has been delayed indefinitely, and Delhi’s public health infrastructure remains in dire need of attention. The city’s hospitals are overburdened, underfunded, and chronically understaffed. Patients continue to wait for basic medical procedures, and the promise of world-class healthcare has been relegated to a distant, unreachable goal.
7. Jobs for All, Including Dalits — A Bitter Betrayal
In the election campaigns, Kejriwal promised job creation and inclusive growth, particularly for the Dalit community. However, under his tenure, Delhi has seen little job growth in government sectors. The promise of offering jobs to Dalits has been abandoned, with no substantial progress on securing employment for marginalised communities. The Dalit community, despite being a key voter base for Kejriwal’s AAP, feels betrayed and excluded from the government’s so-called ‘progress.’
8. Women’s Safety, Top Priority — A Failed Initiative
Kejriwal’s government promised to make Delhi a safer place for women, especially following the horrific 2012 Nirbhaya incident. Despite receiving substantial funds for women’s safety initiatives, Delhi remains one of the most unsafe places for women in India. The Nirbhaya Fund, meant to enhance women’s safety, was misused, and crime rates involving women have only increased. Kejriwal’s promises of setting up more police stations and fast-track courts have largely gone unfulfilled. Instead of improving the situation, his government’s inaction has turned Delhi into a hotspot for gender-based violence.
9. The Job Crisis Will End — False Claims
Rising Unemployment has been a major issue in Delhi, and Kejriwal’s promises of job creation remain unfulfilled. Over the past decade, thousands of job vacancies in government departments remain unfilled, and the youth of Delhi continue to struggle with finding employment. Kejriwal’s reliance on temporary workers and contractual staff in key positions has created instability in Delhi’s job market. The youth’s disillusionment has deepened, and the promise of providing them with opportunities has been replaced with empty assurances and broken dreams.
10. Strong National Allegiances – Fake Mask
Kejriwal’s Unholy Alliances Kejriwal’s party, once seen as a beacon of transparency, has increasingly come under scrutiny for its questionable alliances and statements on national security. Kejriwal’s open support for controversial figures and his stance on issues like the National Register of Citizens (NRC) and the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) have raised eyebrows. His party’s increasing alignment with anti-national rhetoric has raised concerns about the AAP’s true intentions. Kejriwal’s failure to distance himself from groups that undermine national security has created a credibility crisis for his leadership.
The last ten years under Arvind Kejriwal’s leadership have been marked by broken promises, mismanagement, and a complete failure to deliver on the core issues that matter to the people of Delhi. The once-promising Aam Aadmi Party has turned into a liability, with its lies and failed policies putting Delhi’s future at risk.
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