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BJP Vs AAP Vs Congress in Delhi – Unbiased Analysis
Ritika
February 4, 2025
“सरकारें आएंगी, जाएंगी, पार्टियां बनेंगी, बिगड़ेंगी मगर ये देश रहना चाहिए” – अटल बिहारी वाजपेयी
As Delhi elections approach, it’s crucial to evaluate the political report card of the three major parties—AAP, BJP, and Congress—to see who has truly contributed to Delhi’s development.
While India has been a democracy for 75 years, political campaigns continue to be filled with cash transfer schemes, freebies, and guarantees, raising the question: how much of it is real governance and how much is just “Revdi politics”?
Congress, during its 15-year rule (1998–2013), focused on infrastructure, public transport, and power reforms. AAP, since 2015, has prioritized education, healthcare, and subsidies. BJP, though not in power in Delhi, has the final say in decision making regarding the capital’s growth through central government policies and projects.
So, in this battle of governance—BJP vs AAP vs Congress—which party has truly delivered for Delhi’s people? Let’s analyze their performance, achievements, and shortcomings in shaping the capital’s future.
AAP’s Manifesto 2025
In the AAP’s Manifesto of 2025 legislative elections, they have made 15 promises which are listed below:
- Employment for Youth
- Mahila Samman Yojana- Rs. 2100 to every woman, per month
- Free treatments for the Elderly at Govt. Or Private hospitals
- Incorrect water consumption bill waiver
- 24/7 clean water
- Clean Yamuna
- Scholarships for Dalit students
- Free bus and metro travel for students
- Construction of roads
- Rs. 18000 monthly payments for temple and gurudwara priests
- Separate electricity meters for tenants
- Construction of modern sewer system
- Rs. 1 lakh assistance for marriage of auto, e-rickshaw and taxi drivers and provide free coaching to their children
- Funds to be given to RWA to hire private guards
Delhi’s Development in Last 10 Years under AAP’s Governance
During the 2014 election, AAP claimed that all their promises and guarantees were made after having dialogues and understanding the citizens of Delhi. They achieved it through the Delhi Dialogue.
As per their 2020 Manifesto, “Delhi Dialogue is a policy-level intervention through which academicians, businesses, bureaucrats, elected officials, scholars of national and international repute, experts from various sectors and, most importantly, the Aam Aadmi of Delhi have come together to draw an action plan for Delhi’s future – our future.”
Here is the status of some major promises made by AAP:
1. Janlokpal Bill
The Janlokpal Bill was passed in 2013 and came into effect in 2014, with the aim of fighting corruption. However, shortly after the bill was passed, the party faced accusations of corruption, which sparked controversy and raised questions about its commitment to the cause.
2. Electricity
In line with promises made in its 2015 manifesto, the Kejriwal government has successfully reduced electricity bills by half for many households in Delhi.
The government introduced a power subsidy scheme for domestic residents in the New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) area. Under this scheme, households consuming up to 200 units of electricity pay no bill at all—it’s free. For those using between 201 and 400 units, the bill is halved at INR 4 per unit, cheapest among India.
While the scheme has provided relief to many Delhi residents, it has also led to financial difficulties for the power distribution companies (DISCOMs). They have to provide the subsidies upfront and then seek reimbursement from the state government, which creates a financial strain.
Additionally, there have been fluctuations in electricity distribution across Delhi, mainly due to the rising number of consumers in the domestic sector.

Tenants, especially those in rented accommodations, face challenges in accessing the subsidy. Many don’t have separate meters, or they fear upsetting their landlords, leaving them unable to benefit from the scheme. This has created an obstacle for working-class families in the city.

3. Education
The AAP government in Delhi has made significant strides in improving education, making it more accessible, affordable, and of better quality for students in the city.
Delhi’s 'Education Model' has gained recognition not just in India, but around the world. It stands out for its innovative approach, focusing on making learning fun and engaging for children with new curricula and smart classrooms. In July 2020, Delhi Commission for the Protection of Child Rights (DCPCR) invited BCG to conduct a study "School Education Reforms in Delhi 2015-2020". This was done to analyze and document the education reforms in Delhi. It was also used to identify potential learnings for other states.
The Delhi government also introduced several new curriculums, including the Happiness curriculum, Chunauti, Mission Buniyad Pragati, spoken English classes, and the Deshbhakti curriculum. These programs aim to help children develop important skills like empathy, patriotism, critical thinking, communication, and teamwork, giving them a well-rounded education for the future.
4. Healthcare
According to the Economic Survey of India, Delhi now has 521 Aam Aadmi Mohalla Clinics, 30 Polyclinics, and 11 new hospitals under construction. The Delhi government launched this initiative to provide affordable and quality healthcare to everyone, with minimal or no cost.
The government claims that around 4 to 5 crore patients have benefited from the Mohalla Clinics, helping to ease the pressure on super-specialty government hospitals.
However, despite its potential, this initiative has faced challenges in its implementation. Factors like corruption or tensions between the central and state governments could be contributing to its slow progress.
The situation worsened during the COVID-19 pandemic. The city faced a severe shortage of oxygen supplies, and the government's response was criticized for being delayed.
Hospital beds were also insufficient, and many people tragically died in the streets due to inadequate healthcare facilities. In 2020-21, Delhi had only 2.88 hospital beds per 1,000 people, a number that dropped to 2.70 in the following year.

This data highlights a major issue: Delhi has struggled to keep up with its growing population. Despite efforts by the state government, they have been unable to solve these healthcare challenges in recent years.
5. Water Supply
Water supply has been a long-standing problem in Delhi, with many residents struggling to access this necessity. Soon after the AAP government came into power, they introduced a policy to help solve this problem.
The government decided that every household with a metered water connection would receive 20 kiloliters (20,000 liters) of free water every month. This initiative aimed to ensure that everyone, especially those from low-income backgrounds, had access to the water they need for daily living.

To tackle water scarcity and encourage more sustainable practices, the Delhi Jal Board made it mandatory for properties larger than 100 square meters to install rainwater harvesting systems. The government also provided financial help and rebates on water bills to encourage people to adopt these systems.
Over the past decade, the AAP government has increased subsidies on water, electricity, and other essential services to make them more affordable for residents. The total spending on subsidies has grown significantly, from ₹1,554.72 crore in 2014-15 to ₹10,995.34 crore in 2024-25, showing a clear focus on easing the financial burden on people.
Despite these efforts, some problems still remain. Critics, including former AAP minister Kailash Gahlot, have raised concerns about ongoing issues with drinking water availability and sewer management in certain areas, highlighting that there is still much work to be done.
6. Women’s Empowerment and Safety
In October 2019, the Delhi government introduced a scheme that allows women to travel for free on all public buses, including air-conditioned ones. The goal was to make public transport safer, more accessible, and affordable for women in the city.
To ensure safety, the government also placed marshals on buses. These marshals are there to help maintain security and assist female passengers during their rides.
Additionally, the Delhi government set up CCTV cameras in various places across the city, including inside buses, to prevent crimes and improve safety for women. However, it has been reported that many of these cameras are either not working or have been stolen, raising concerns about their effectiveness.
7. Pollution
To curb the pollution in Delhi, AAP-led govt. introduced CNG autos and electric buses. They have also started Odd-Even where cars can only travel on either odd or even days if they have odd or even car number plate.
Delhi govt. also imposed GRAP. Moreover, during severe air pollution conditions, the Delhi government plans to induce artificial rain.

To clean Yamuna is still a work in progress by the government.
Despite all these efforts, managing pollution in Delhi still remains a challenge.
8. Infrastructure
Despite promising better roads to citizens of Delhi, the AAP govt. did not deliver it. The Delhi govt agrees that they couldn’t provide what they promised.
9. Employment
In their 2015 manifesto, the AAP government promised to create 8 lakh jobs in Delhi, and in 2020, they raised the target to 10 lakh jobs.
To make this happen, they launched a job search portal. However, according to an article by The Hindu, only 12,588 people have applied for jobs through Rozgaar Bazaar portal, raising questions about the effectiveness of the initiative.
The issue is not whether they have fulfilled their promise of creating 10 lakh jobs for people. The issue here is whether they are progressively aiming to create more jobs in Delhi or not.
With a population of 34,665,600 million people living in Delhi in 2025, the slow pace of job creation can be a setback. However, to deal with this problem, Delhi govt. has started programmes to brush up people’s skills. This will increase the rate of self-employment in Delhi.
The Delhi government also encourages students to launch their own ventures and startups, providing seed money to those with promising business ideas.
10. Unauthorized Colonies
The AAP government has taken several steps to improve unauthorized colonies in Delhi:
- Infrastructure Development – Laid 4,000 km of roads, 2,484 km of water pipelines, and 2,091 km of sewer lines.
- Budget Allocation – ₹902 crore allocated in 2024-25 for infrastructure upgrades.
- Electricity Access – Enabled installation of electricity meters without NOCs.
- Redevelopment Planning – Collecting data on waste, roads, and sewer systems for future upgrades.
BJP’s Manifesto 2025
- BJP promises to continue existing schemes and eliminate corruption in these schemes.
- Rs. 2500 given to women from poor families under Mahila Samriddhi Yojana.
- Providing assistance of ₹21,000 and 6 nutritional kits to every pregnant woman under Mukhya Mantri Matritva Suraksha Yojana.
- Provide LPG cylinders for ₹500 to women from poor families, and one free cylinder each on Holi and Deepawali.
- In the first cabinet meeting, implement the central government’s Ayushman Bharat Yojana, to provide free treatment up to ₹5 lakh and the state government will provide ₹5 lakh additional cover for all the poor families.
- Increase the senior citizens pension for citizens aged 60-70 from ₹2,000 to ₹2,500 and for senior citizens aged 70+, widows, divyang and destitutes from ₹2,500 to ₹3,000.
- Establish Atal Canteens in Jhuggi-Jhopri clusters to provide nutritious meals at ₹5.
- Adopt a 'zero tolerance' policy against the widespread misgovernance and corruption of AAP-DA, and constitute an SIT to investigate the scams related to DTC, Mohalla Clinic, Classroom, Excise Policy, Jal Board, etc.
- Provide free KG to PG education to poor students taking admission in Delhi’s government institutions.
- Empower Delhi’s youth to prepare for various competitive examinations of the state government by: Providing one-time financial assistance of ₹15,000 Reimbursing travel cost to the examination Centre and application fee for up to 2 attempts.
- Launch the Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Stipend Scheme in Delhi to provide a monthly stipend of ₹1,000 to Scheduled Caste students pursuing technical and vocational courses in ITIs, skill centers, polytechnics etc.
- Establish ‘Welfare Boards’ for all auto, taxi drivers and domestic workers, will provide life insurance up to ₹10 lakh, accident insurance up to ₹5 lakh and offer scholarships to their children for higher education. Additionally, BJP will provide subsidy on vehicle insurance to auto and taxi drivers, and provide paid maternity leave up to 6 months to all domestic workers.
- Double the number of street vendor beneficiaries under the PM SVANidhi scheme.
- Ensure the 100% registration of all eligible farmers in Delhi under the PM Kisan Samman Nidhi Yojana and increase the annual assistance from ₹6,000 to ₹9,000.
Also Read: How to Apply for Voter ID Card?
Work Done in Delhi as Central Government
BJP, as a central govt. has implemented multiple schemes to benefit the people of Delhi. Here is the following list:
- Free Ration under Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana: No one should go to bed hungry, and this initiative makes sure of that by providing free food grains to those in need, supporting millions of families across India.
- Regularizing 1,731 Colonies under PM-UDAY Yojana: This step gives people the ownership rights to their homes, transforming over 1,700 colonies and bringing stability and security to countless lives.
- Affordable Housing with PM Awas Yojana (Urban): Through the "Jahan Jhuggi Wahan Makan" program, new flats are being built to provide dignified living spaces for families in need.
- Support for Expecting Mothers – PM Matru Vandana Yojana: With ₹5000 given to pregnant women, this initiative shows the government’s commitment to supporting future generations of India.
- Ujjwala Yojana - Free LPG Connections: Millions of families now have access to clean cooking fuel, making cooking safer and more convenient for many households.
- Massive Infrastructure Investment - ₹68,000 Crore: Over the last 10 years, this huge investment has been poured into making Delhi a modern, world-class city, with state-of-the-art infrastructure.
- Dwarka Expressway – India’s First Urban Elevated Expressway: ₹7,500 crore has been invested in this game-changing project, giving commuters a smooth, traffic-free ride.
- Delhi-Meerut Expressway Construction: Connecting cities and boosting the economy, this expressway is making regional travel faster and easier.
- RRTS Extension from New Ashok Nagar to Meerut South: This successful extension marks a huge leap in reliable and fast inter-city travel, making life easier for thousands of commuters.
- Delhi Metro Phase-IV – ₹6,230 Crore for Rithala-Kundli Section: With this new section, the Delhi Metro network keeps expanding, making daily commutes smoother for millions of people.
- Pragati Maidan Integrated Transit Corridor – ₹920 Crore: This project is all about better connectivity, making the city more accessible and travel more convenient for everyone.
- First Elevated Cross Taxiway at IGI Airport: The first of its kind in India, this new taxiway improves airport operations and eases the flow of air traffic.
- Namo Bharat Corridor – ₹4,600 Crore Investment: This new corridor reduces traffic congestion and makes travel faster, improving connectivity in and around Delhi.
- Veer Savarkar College Foundation Stone Laid – ₹140 Crore Project: This education hub in Najafgarh will open doors to new opportunities, helping the next generation of students thrive.
- Yashobhoomi and Bharat Mandapam: These iconic projects are not just buildings, they will drive tourism, commerce, and cultural exchange, giving Delhi a global spotlight.
- New Education Policy (NEP), 2020: This policy is revolutionizing how we approach education, emphasizing holistic learning and skill development for a brighter, more promising future.
Congress’s Manifesto
In their manifesto of 2025, Congress has made many promises. Of the 215 promises, listed below are some of the important ones.
- Rs. 2,500 per month will be given to one woman in each poor family under Pyari Didi Yojana.
- Provide free health coverage up to Rs 25 lakh, including free medicines and diagnostics.
- Provide all unemployed youth with a one-year apprenticeship in the private or public sector and a stipend of Rs 8,500 per month for its duration.
- Provide cooking gas at Rs 500 per cylinder and a free ration kit that includes 5 kilos of rice, 2 kilos of sugar, 1 kilo of cooking oil, 6 kilos of dal and 250 grams of tea.
- Provide 300 units of free electricity to all qualifying households.
- Reintroduce the award-winning initiatives started by Smt Sheila Dikshit such as the Bhagidari Scheme, School Welfare Committees, Patient Welfare Committees and the My Delhi Eye Care Fund that connected citizens with Delhi's governance.
- Reserve 33% of new state government jobs for women
- Improve the 2008 Ladli Scheme as envisaged by Smt Sheila Dikshit and ensure that the benefits reach all eligible girls.
- Restore the 181 helpline that is essential for women's safety
- Establish 100 Indira Canteens to provide affordable and nutritious meals for all.
- A designated area along the Yamuna River will be declared a district for celebrating Chhath Mahaparv; the ghat on the Yamuna will be named after the late Smt. Sharda Sinha.
- Support startups and innovation by creating incubation centers and will offer seed funding for startups and small enterprises.
- Expand free Wi-Fi coverage in public areas to support professionals working remotely.
- Provide scholarships and hostels for transgender person.
- Ensure that all government departments, organizations and schools are given sensitivity training regarding the rights of the LGBTQIA+ community.
- Provide universally accessible washrooms for transgender people in public space.
Delhi Under Congress: From 1998 to 2014
Congress was in power for 15 years in Delhi, which is a significantly long period to ensure the city's overall development. Here is the list of some major developments done by Congress govt.
1. CNG Busses
The introduction of CNG (Compressed Natural Gas) buses and the launch of the Cluster Bus System were pivotal steps in improving Delhi’s public transport and air quality.
By replacing the older diesel fleet with cleaner CNG buses, Delhi became one of the first cities to adopt a clean-fuel public transport system, significantly reducing pollution.
The Cluster Bus System further enhanced the organization of the city's bus services by engaging private operators for different routes, while the government maintained regulatory control.
This initiative not only improved the frequency and efficiency of bus services but also contributed to a greener, more sustainable urban transport network.
2. Privatization of Distribution Sectors in Delhi
Frequent and prolonged power cuts were common in Delhi, and the Delhi Vidyut Board was burdened with massive losses.
The decentralization of the Delhi Vidyut Board in 2002 and the privatization of the power sector significantly reduced Aggregate Technical and Commercial (AT&C) losses.
The Delhi government handed over power distribution to three private companies, with 51% equity held by private firms and 49% retained through Delhi Power Company Limited (DPCL).
3. Improved Air Quality
Congress govt. introduced CNG buses to improve air quality of Delhi. One of the biggest achievements during this period was the reduction in pollution levels, primarily due to the conversion of public transport to CNG.

The government also took initiatives to control industrial pollution, improve waste management, and promote green spaces in the city. As a result, Delhi saw a temporary decline in air pollution levels, making it one of the few Indian cities to achieve significant environmental improvement at the time.
4. Infrastructure
In the 15 years of their administration, the Congress govt. has tremendously gotten better.
- Flyovers: Several important flyovers were constructed to reduce traffic congestion and improve connectivity, including: Barapullah Flyover: Provided a smooth link between Sarai Kale Khan and South Delhi, significantly reducing travel time. AIIMS Flyover: Helped decongest one of Delhi’s busiest areas near the All-India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS). Dhaula Kuan Flyover: Eased traffic movement in one of the key junctions of South and West Delhi. These developments played a crucial role in reducing travel time, improving traffic flow, and ensuring better connectivity across the city.
- Delhi Metro: The Delhi Metro was introduced in 2002 under the leadership of Sheila Dikshit, and it became a game-changer for public transport. Over the years, the metro network expanded significantly, connecting distant parts of the city and reducing dependence on road transport. By 2014, the metro had become one of the most efficient and reliable means of commuting, reducing congestion on roads and cutting travel time.
- IGI Airport Terminal 3: Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport Terminal 3, inaugurated in 2010, was one of the most significant infrastructure achievements during this period. It became one of the largest and most modern airport terminals in the world, enhancing Delhi’s global connectivity. The terminal was built to handle over 34 million passengers annually and featured world-class facilities, making it a hub for international travel in India.
5. Women’s Empowerment and Safety
Following the 2012 Nirbhaya incident, the Delhi government launched the 181 helpline to provide immediate assistance to women in distress. This service offered support and facilitated timely grievance redressal.
To expedite justice in cases of sexual assault and violence against women, the government established five fast-track courts. This initiative aimed to ensure swift legal proceedings and deter potential offenders.
6. Healthcare Sector
The government focused on strengthening healthcare facilities, particularly in rural and underserved areas of Delhi. This included constructing new hospitals and upgrading existing ones to provide better medical services.
In 2013, Sheila Dikshit laid the foundation stone for an additional block at Maharishi Valmiki Hospital in Pooth Khurd, aiming to improve healthcare access in rural regions.
In 2012, Dikshit laid the foundation for a 200-bed hospital in Burari, North Delhi, to expand healthcare facilities in that area.
The administration supported initiatives to raise awareness about prevalent health issues. In 2010, Dikshit inaugurated Apollo's "Billion Hearts Beating" campaign, which aimed to spread awareness about preventing heart disease and its risk factors.

Recognizing the pressure on Delhi's healthcare system due to an influx of patients from neighboring regions, the government explored public-private partnerships (PPP) to enhance healthcare facilities. This approach aimed to provide better services and manage the growing demand effectively.
Conclusion
Each party’s impact on Delhi’s Development often leaves us wondering: are we seeing genuine governance or just political strategies?
In a comparison between AAP, BJP, and Congress in Delhi, AAP has introduced populist measures like subsidies, making strides in education and healthcare, but infrastructure and jobs remain a challenge.
BJP, while driving national infrastructure, struggles to make its mark in Delhi due to its opposition status. Congress, with its long tenure, brought iconic changes like the Metro and CNG buses but also faced criticism for inefficiency and corruption.
As Delhi heads to the polls, voters will decide if these efforts have truly advanced the city or were just vote-catching tactics. If you want to understand your rights and duties during the election, visit DigiLawyerAI.


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