Arvind Kejriwal and Kiran Bedi. Arvind Kejriwal and Kiran Bedi.

With just three days to go, campaigning for the upcoming high-stakes Delhi elections has become increasingly cut-throat and competitive. While most opinion polls point to the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) having a clear lead over the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), the spot-light has shifted to the key basic issues on which both parties have spelt out their agenda and vision for the people of the city. To help the voters make a more informed choice, we have tried to break down the AAP’s and BJP’s stand on fundamental issues.

1. Statehood

AAP: Arvind Kejriwal’s party has said that it will strengthen the “demand for full statehood” once voted to power. It has said in its manifesto that it is necessary for institutions like DDA, MCD and the Delhi Police to be under the control of the state government, and not the Centre.

BJP: On the other hand, the issue of statehood has not found presence in the BJP’s vision document. At the official press conference where the document was released, BJP’s Nirmala Sitharaman had said that while the issue is important for the party, it will discuss the matter with stakeholders before taking a decision.

2. Water

AAP: By amending the Delhi Jal Board (DJB) act, the AAP has said that it will introduce a provision of water as a right. A free lifeline of up to 20 kiloletres will be provided to every household alongside metered connections of DJB. By ensuring water from Haryana through the Munak canal and by reviving non-functional plants in areas like Dwarka and Bawana, the party has said it will ensure water to every household in Delhi.

BJP: The BJP has also promised clean, potable water to every household. Rationalization of water bills, scrutiny of irregularities in DJB, rain-water harvesting, water recycling units for multiplexes and housing complexes and steps for the construction of Renuka Dam in Himachal Pradesh are some of the party’s key promises.

3. Housing

AAP: The AAP promises to give registration rights and property deeds to people in uanuthorized colonies and regularize these colonies within one year of coming to power. Surveys will be carried out and slum dwellers will be given plots or flats at same location, the party claims. The party says that it will give ownership rights to occupants of resettlement colonies within 3 months.

BJP: The BJP’s promises for unauthorized and resettlement colonies are in consonance with AAP’s agenda. The BJP vows to construct community centres on vacant lands, in-situ housing for slum dwellers and provide gas connections and subsidized electricity lines to them. The BJP also assures to convert group housing societies from leasehold to freehold.

4. Women security

AAP: To tackle Delhi’s infamous record for kidnapping and rape cases, the AAP vows to provide adequate street-lighting, last-mile connectivity through public transit, creation of fast-track courts and working women’s hostels and ensure proper registration of FIRs by Delhi police.

BJP: The BJP promises to set up dedicated police stations for women in every district, along with a special cell in the CMO and self-defence classes as part of school curriculum. CCTV cameras and special DTC buses for women are other guarantees on the agenda.

5. Transportation

AAP: The party vows to establish a ‘Unified Transport Authority’ for holistic transport policies along with increasing auto stands and end contractualization of DTC employees. Multi-storeyed parking facilities, protection of e-rickshaw drivers are other promises.

BJP: Expansion of metro services to NCR areas, scrapping of the BRT system, four terminals for buses are some of the BJP’s pledges. More importance for areas in outer Delhi like Najafgarh, Bawana and Narela will be given, the party says. The BJP also assures to tackle grievances of e-rickshaw and autorickshaw drivers.

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