The political landscape in Delhi has recently been rocked by a series of sharp allegations made by Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Atishi, following the first cabinet meeting of the newly appointed Delhi Chief Minister, Rekha Gupta. Atishi has also accused the BJP government of Delhi of backtracking on its electoral campaign promises, especially about a highly publicized scheme that was to give each woman in the city ₹2,500 per month. The scheme was expected to be tabled during the first cabinet meeting, but that it is not on the agenda has ignited a rising sense of disillusionment among people.
The Election Pledge: ₹2,500 for All Women
In the Delhi assembly elections of early 2025, the BJP promised something big that drew the voters' attention, particularly women. The party promised giving ₹2,500 per month to all Delhi women under a scheme called the Mahila Samriddhi Yojna. This money was considered an important measure to solve women's problems, such as economic independence and social welfare.
The promise was not only a local campaign promise but was supported by the top rungs of the BJP leadership. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah promised voters that this scheme would be one of the priorities of the new government. The scheme was extensively reported in the media, and the BJP utilized it as a pillar of their campaign, projecting themselves as the party that would directly empower women in the city.
The Allegations: Atishi’s Outcry
On February 20, 2025, the newly appointed Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta held her first cabinet meeting, which was expected to confirm the much-anticipated ₹2,500 monthly assistance to women. However, Atishi, a senior leader of the AAP and former Chief Minister of Delhi, voiced her shock and disappointment when the promised scheme failed to appear on the meeting’s agenda.
Atishi strongly criticized the BJP in a video message for failing to live up to its commitments. "The first cabinet meeting was at 7 pm today, and all the women of Delhi hoped that the ₹2,500 (monthly) scheme to each woman would be cleared in this meeting.". Today morning, Delhi CM Rekha Gupta asserted that the women's scheme providing ₹2,500 to every woman would be tabled during this cabinet meeting. But people have already started being betrayed by BJP," stated Atishi. Her words were meant to lay bare what she perceived as BJP's inability to keep its promise to the women of Delhi.
CM Rekha Gupta's Response
Rekha Gupta, who was Delhi's new Chief Minister after the BJP win, was not slow to respond to her government and refute Atishi's accusation. During an interview, Gupta showed faith in decisions taken by her cabinet and reiterated that the BJP was in full command of its own agenda. She retorted sternly, saying, "It's our government. The agenda will be ours. Let us work.". She does not have to explain everything; she has done what she has needed to do while in office." This remark announced that Gupta and her government were not going to be intimidated by the criticism and aimed to keep pushing on their own path.
In addition, Gupta spoke to the postponement of implementing the ₹2,500 relief scheme. The CM stated that the cabinet had actually discussed the scheme, but there was a need for more deliberations to smoothen the details, especially regarding registration procedures and the release of funds. Gupta clarified that the scheme would need to be well-planned and have a well-structured system to effectively implement it. This statement has been read by most as a sign that the scheme is not being axed but is merely being more thoroughly planned prior to its introduction.
The Political Back-and-Forth: BJP vs. AAP
Atishi’s allegations are not just about the scheme itself but are a broader critique of the BJP’s governance. She framed the situation as a betrayal of the trust placed in the BJP by the women of Delhi. In her view, the delay or absence of the ₹2,500 promise represented a larger pattern of the BJP failing to follow through on its pre-election commitments.
Conversely, Rekha Gupta's reaction has only added to the tension between the two sides. The BJP has been criticized heavily in the past for promising everything under the sun during election campaigns and then failing to deliver once in office. The row over the ₹2,500 scheme will probably become a defining theme in Delhi politics in the coming months.
The two sides are bracing themselves for a tough fight of narratives. The BJP, having attained power, is busy consolidating the same, whereas the AAP, though out of power, is using every forum to pin responsibility on the BJP. This should only grow tougher as Delhi looks towards its subsequent round of polls, with the two sides seeking to present itself as the sole champion of people's causes.
The Larger Context: Voter Expectations and Women's Welfare
While the row over the ₹2,500 scheme is making headlines, it also highlights a bigger issue: voter expectations, especially among women, in Delhi. Delhi has made tremendous progress in the welfare of women over the years, from introducing schemes such as free travel for women on buses to financial support schemes. The offer of ₹2,500 a month was perceived as the next logical step in empowering women and taking care of their economic needs.
But the hold-up in starting this scheme has made people question if the new government is seriously going to place the welfare of women at top priority or it is just a political gimmick to win the elections. Now the BJP will come under pressure to prove itself in fulfilling this commitment and completing it without delay.
What's Next?
As the row keeps raging, the politics of the ₹2,500 scheme will understandably be the political focal point in Delhi for the near future. The BJP now has to demonstrate that it's serious about delivering on its promises, particularly concerning women's welfare. Meanwhile, the AAP will keep closely watching the new government's moves, seeking any indication of policy errors or unfulfilled promises.
This scenario also highlights the significance of accountability within politics. Voters want their political leaders to do what they promised, and once those promises have not been delivered, it tends to result in disillusionment as well as trust loss in the political process. In Delhi, the BJP thus has a distinct chance to show that it not only makes aggressive promises but keeps them as well—without making excuses or having delays.
Finally, the charge leveled by Atishi is not merely a political allegation; it is an indication of the underlying problem of accountability and faith in the government. How the BJP addresses this challenge will probably determine its destiny in Delhi. Whether the ₹2,500 scheme becomes a reality or not will be a watershed moment for the Delhi government, and it might have far-reaching consequences for the party's political future in the city.