Arvind Kejriwal releases AAP’s middle-class manifesto, raises 7 demands for budget 2025

Mangalore Today News Network

New Delhi, January 22, 2025: Ahead of the Delhi assembly elections, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) convenor Arvind Kejriwal on Wednesday released his party’s ‘middle-class manifesto’ and raised seven demands from the Centre, including those related to education, health, tax rebate, and pension. Kejriwal also demanded that the Union Budget 2025, which is set to be presented on February 1, be dedicated to the middle class.

Addressing a press conference, Arvind Kejriwal said, “Today, we appeal to the Central government to recognise India’s true superpower—the middle class. I announce that AAP will be the voice of the middle class from the streets to the Parliament. We demand that the next national budget be dedicated to the middle class."

“Today, I am making seven demands to the Central government," he added.

“First, the education budget should be increased to 10 per cent from 2 per cent, and the fee for private schools should be capped. Second, subsidies and scholarships be given for higher education. Third, the health budget should be increased to 10 per cent, and tax should be removed from health insurance," Arvind Kejriwal said.

“Fourth, the income tax exemption limit should be increased to Rs 10 lakh from the present Rs 7 lakh. Fifth, the Goods and Services Tax (GST) should be removed from essential commodities," the AAP convenor continued.

“Sixth, a strong retirement plan and pension schemes for senior citizens should be announced, and there should be free medical services for senior citizens in all government and private hospitals across the country. Seventh, senior citizens should get a 50 per cent concession in rail travel," Kejriwal added.

Also slamming the Centre’s tax policies, Arvind Kejriwal termed it “tax terrorism", and said, “People have to pay taxes while they are alive, but now the government has created a situation where they have to pay even after death. Amid this tax terrorism, how can someone even dare to chase their dreams?"

“For a married couple, family planning has become a financial decision. Due to such issues, many Indians are leaving the country. In 2020, around 85,000 people left India for foreign nations. This is a matter of great sorrow for our country," he said.

VIDEO | Delhi: AAP National Convenor Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) talks about the problems of the middle class and urges the central government to dedicate the next budget to their welfare.

"Today, we appeal to the central government to recognise India’s true superpower—the… pic.twitter.com/NCYkyXneB4

— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) January 22, 2025

Later, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, while addressing the workers of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), slammed Arvind Kejriwal’s party, and said that it makes only “fake announcements".

“AAP makes only fake announcements, the BJP will improve the condition of government schools," the Prime Minister said.

Delhi will go to the polls on February 5, with vote counting scheduled for February 8.