The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has launched a sharp attack on the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) for allegedly failing to deliver on its pre-poll promise of providing free gas cylinders to Delhi residents during Holi and Diwali. With Diwali around the corner, AAP accused the BJP of betraying voters by not implementing the much-publicized scheme that was part of its 2020 Delhi Assembly election manifesto.
Taking to social media, AAP leaders questioned why the BJP had not provided the free LPG cylinders as promised. “Women in Delhi did not receive the free cylinder even on Diwali,” read one of AAP’s posts, while another stated, “The BJP government has once again proven Modi ji’s promises to be mere rhetoric.” The party alleged that despite repeated assurances during the elections, the BJP had neither distributed free cylinders during Holi nor now during Diwali, showing “complete disregard for its commitments.”
The BJP’s free gas cylinder scheme had been announced as part of a broader package aimed at women and economically weaker families. The party’s manifesto, titled Sankalp Patra, was unveiled by BJP president JP Nadda, who had promised Rs 21,000 assistance for pregnant women, a monthly Rs 2,500 stipend to women under the Mahila Samridhi Yojana, and a Rs 500 subsidy on every LPG cylinder. Nadda had also announced that families would receive one free cylinder each on Holi and Diwali, a move seen as an effort to counter AAP’s welfare-oriented politics.
During the manifesto launch, Nadda had assured voters that these measures would be cleared in the very first Cabinet meeting if the BJP came to power. He had also promised the immediate implementation of the Ayushman Bharat health insurance scheme in Delhi, accusing the AAP government of blocking it for political reasons.
However, as the festive season passes without any sign of the promised relief, AAP has intensified its criticism, demanding a public explanation from BJP leaders. “Where are the free cylinders? Delhi’s women have been waiting since Holi,” AAP leaders posted, tagging BJP’s Delhi unit and national spokespersons.
Meanwhile, residents have expressed frustration over the unfulfilled promise, saying they had expected the subsidy or free cylinders before Diwali. Political observers note that AAP’s attack is aimed at highlighting the BJP’s credibility gap among urban voters, particularly women, a demographic both parties are keen to attract.
Despite the mounting criticism, the BJP has yet to issue a formal statement addressing the status of the free gas cylinder initiative or clarifying whether it remains part of the party’s welfare rollout for Delhi.
