In a significant move ahead of the crucial Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) on Tuesday unveiled its ambitious 'Kejriwalchi Guarantee' manifesto. The party has put forward four core promises aimed at transforming India's financial capital, drawing from its governance models in Delhi and Punjab.
A Vision to Restore Mumbai's Dignity
Releasing the manifesto, senior AAP leader and former Delhi minister Atishi presented it as more than just an electoral alternative. She described it as a "concrete plan to restore Mumbai's dignity and potential." Criticising the established political parties, Atishi stated that Mumbai, despite its immense wealth, has become the "ugly, dirty, and unsafe face of urbanisation." She asserted that the city could become a global template if governance is done right.
"We will provide world-class free education and free healthcare and free electricity in Mumbai, like we did in Delhi and are doing in Punjab," Atishi declared. She urged Mumbaikars to vote for the greater good and for their "enlightened self-interest," making a clean sweep with the party's broom symbol.
Echoing this sentiment, Preeti Sharma Menon, AAP's Mumbai president, attributed the difference between Mumbai and AAP-ruled states to a "lack of political will" in the city. She emphasised the party's track record of delivering services "without corruption and without debt" and pledged to bring that same transparency to the BMC, reclaiming it for the common citizen from the builder-contractor lobby.
The Four Kejriwalchi Guarantees Detailed
The manifesto is built around four major guarantees for the residents of Mumbai:
1. Free and 24x7 Water: The AAP promises to provide up to 20,000 litres of free water per household every month. The plan includes a comprehensive leak-control initiative and aims for 100 percent sewage treatment.
2. Revolution in Education and BEST: The party vows to transform BMC schools by allocating Rs 1 crore per school for modern infrastructure. It also promises free BEST bus passes for all students and the installation of sanitary napkin vending machines in every school.
3. World-Class Healthcare: A major highlight is the pledge to establish 1000 mohalla clinics across the city. These clinics will offer free consultations, medicines, and diagnostic tests. The plan includes creating a robust three-tier healthcare system for comprehensive coverage.
4. Zero Electricity Bills and Pothole-Free Roads: AAP guarantees the elimination of electricity bills for consumption up to 200 units per family through BEST, with free meter installations and a push for decentralised solar power. Furthermore, the party promises to revive the BEST fleet with a minimum of 10,000 electric buses, provide free transport for women and students, and create pothole-free roads in Mumbai.
Additional Welfare and Civic Reforms
Beyond the four guarantees, the manifesto outlines a series of other commitments designed to improve civic life and support vulnerable groups. These include:
- Construction of 2 lakh public toilets to address sanitation issues.
- Direct financial support of Rs 5,000 per month for low-income pregnant women until the child turns one year old.
- Ensuring a discrimination-free civic interface with sensitised BMC staff and creating gender-neutral bathrooms at all public facilities.
- Simplifying business processes with one-time registration for shop licenses, adding 280 new hawking zones, and creating rest shelters for gig workers.
The AAP has dedicated its manifesto to the legacies of iconic figures like Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar, Bhagat Singh, Mahatma Phule, Savitribai Phule, and Chhatrapati Shahu Maharaj. The party is contesting the BMC polls, scheduled for January 15, with 37 candidates in the 227-seat corporation, positioning itself as a clean alternative focused on its 'Kaam Ki Rajneeti' (Politics of Work).
