Let’s address the elephant in the room: Delhi’s obsession with freebies. Every election season, political parties roll out shiny promises like clockwork. This time, AAP offers ₹2,100 to women, and BJP counters with ₹2,500. It’s not governance; it’s a bidding war disguised as democracy.
The irony here is hard to miss. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who once derided freebies as fiscal black holes, now silently endorses his party’s attempts to outdo AAP at their own game.
BJP President JP Nadda’s declaration of a ₹2,500 cash handout for women during the first cabinet meeting mirrors the very “revadi culture” Modi once criticized. In my view, the shift reeks of political opportunism, highlighting a new mantra: if you can’t beat them, join them.
But the deeper question is: how did Delhi, India’s capital and a city with ambitions of being a global leader, become a playground for competitive charity? A city that should symbolize self-reliance now thrives on subsidies. Free power, water, ration – the list grows longer every year. These schemes might ease the lives of some, but they also send a troubling message: dependency is better than self-sufficiency.
The tug-of-war between AAP and BJP is almost comedic. AAP, under Arvind Kejriwal, proudly claims it pioneered welfare schemes in Delhi. BJP, after years of criticizing these policies, now offers a “bigger and better” version. Kejriwal, once a beacon of hope for clean governance, now finds himself mired in scandals. From the ₹2,026 crore excise policy controversy to his extravagant “Sheesh Mahal” residence, the Kejriwal of today seems worlds apart from the austerity advocate of yesterday. Even his former mentor, Anna Hazare, publicly expressed disappointment, branding him as a leader who has lost his way.
BJP, however, is no better. Its recent embrace of freebies reeks of desperation. For a party that hasn’t won a Delhi election in nearly two decades, it now mimics AAP’s playbook to win over voters. The “double-engine government” pitch, which promises better coordination between the Centre and state, glosses over the glaring contradiction: if freebies are bad economics, how does BJP’s version suddenly become good policy?
What about Delhi’s voters? Why this unrelenting appetite for handouts? The reasons are complex. For some, it’s a genuine need; for others, it’s opportunism. But the larger question is, has this culture of freebies come at the cost of long-term growth and infrastructure?
The truth is, these handouts aren’t free. They are funded by taxpayers or through debt that future generations must repay. The city’s overreliance on subsidies is a ticking fiscal time bomb, one that threatens to derail its growth trajectory. While political parties celebrate short-term wins, the electorate must ask itself: is this sustainable?
While freebies dominate the headlines, critical issues like healthcare, education, and employment often take a backseat. Yes, AAP has made commendable strides in improving schools and mohalla clinics, but is that enough to justify the massive subsidies that drain the state’s budget? Similarly, BJP’s focus on welfare schemes raises the question: where are the long-term solutions for jobs and economic empowerment?
Delhi is not just any city; it is the face of India to the world. Its policies set a precedent for other states. Normalizing a culture of dependency, it risks sending the wrong message: that survival depends on government handouts rather than individual enterprise and collective progress.
Delhi’s freebie culture isn’t just a local issue; it’s a national concern. If the capital city, with all its resources and opportunities, resorts to subsidies as a crutch, what does that signal to the rest of India? States already grappling with fiscal deficits may follow suit, turning governance into a race to the bottom.
So, what now? The choice before Delhi is stark. On one hand, AAP offers continuity but struggles with credibility. On the other, BJP promises change but lacks a clear vision beyond mimicking AAP. Neither option seems ideal, but the underlying issue goes beyond party politics.
Delhi’s voters need to think beyond short-term gains. Freebies might provide temporary relief, but they are no substitute for robust infrastructure, job creation, and a thriving economy. The city deserves better – leaders who focus on sustainable development, not just populist gimmicks.
Delhi’s love affair with freebies is more than just a political strategy; it’s a reflection of deeper systemic issues. While political parties compete to out-promise each other, it’s the voters who must break the cycle. The capital’s future depends on a shift in mindset – from expecting handouts to demanding accountability and progress.
Can Delhi rise above this culture of dependency? Only time – and the next election – will tell. But one thing is clear: this “freebie frenzy” isn’t just unsustainable; it’s an embarrassment the nation can no longer afford.
