AAP’s Defeat in 2025 Delhi Election: What Lies Ahead for Welfare Schemes?

With the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) defining its political identity through a welfare-driven agenda, its loss in the 2025 Delhi election raises pressing questions about the future of its flagship schemes—free water, free electricity, and other subsidies.

Led by Arvind Kejriwal, AAP secured just 22 seats in the Delhi Assembly, a sharp decline from its 2020 performance of 62 seats.

BJP’s Return After 26 Years

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) staged a remarkable comeback, winning 48 of the 70 seats.

The Fate of AAP’s Welfare Programs

Despite the leadership change, the BJP has pledged in its manifesto to continue existing welfare schemes in Delhi.

“Our government will not only continue existing schemes, but we will also make them more effective by eliminating corruption,” stated the BJP.

Key BJP Promises

Support for Women:

• ₹2,500 monthly assistance to women from poor families under the Mahila Samriddhi Yojana
• ₹21,000 and six nutritional kits for pregnant women under the Mukhya Mantri Matritva Suraksha Yojana
• Subsidized LPG cylinders at ₹500 and free cylinders during Holi and Deepawali

Healthcare Reforms:

• Implementation of the Ayushman Bharat Yojana, offering free treatment up to ₹5 lakh, with an additional ₹5 lakh from the state
• Free OPD and diagnostic services for senior citizens

Increased Pension Benefits:

• Pension for citizens aged 60-70 will rise from ₹2,000 to ₹2,500
• For those aged 70+, widows, persons with disabilities, and destitute citizens, it will increase from ₹2,500 to ₹3,000

Youth and Education Initiatives:

• Free education from kindergarten to post-graduation for poor students in government institutions
• One-time financial assistance of ₹15,000 for state exam preparation, along with reimbursement of travel costs and application fees

Welfare Boards:

• Establishment of welfare boards for auto and taxi drivers, and domestic workers, offering life insurance up to ₹10 lakh, accident insurance up to ₹5 lakh, and scholarships for their children
• Subsidized vehicle insurance for auto and taxi drivers
• Paid maternity leave up to six months for domestic workers

Empowering Farmers:

• 100% registration of eligible farmers under the PM Kisan Samman Nidhi Yojana
• Increased annual financial assistance from ₹6,000 to ₹9,000

As the BJP takes charge in Delhi after more than two decades, its success will hinge on delivering these promises while balancing the continuation of AAP’s widely popular welfare programs.