'Did PM approve revdi distribution?' Arvind Kejriwal attacks BJP manifesto

Arvind Kejriwal sought PM Modi's justification on "free revdis" in the BJP manifesto for Delhi polls. Hitting back, the BJP said Kejriwal wouldn't understand the difference between revdi and development.

In Short

• Rs 21,000 for pregnant women, Rs 500 LPG subsidy among BJP's promises
• Arvind Kejriwal questions BJP manifesto, asks PM's justification on 'revdis'
• PM, other BJP leaders have attacked 'free revdi' culture for votes in the past

Attacking the BJP over its manifesto for the Delhi Assembly elections, AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal asked if Prime Minister Narendra Modi's permission was taken for the "distribution of free revdi (sweets)". The BJP also hit back, saying Kejriwal, "a criminal out on bail", would not understand the difference between revdi and development.

Kejriwal's remarks came not so long after the BJP released its poll manifesto, promising Rs 21,000 for pregnant women, Rs 2,500 per month to women voters, and a Rs 500 subsidy for LPG cylinders in Delhi.

"BJP President JP Nadda issued the party's sankalp patra, and announced several revdis. My question is did he take PM Modi’s approval for distributing these revdis?" Kejriwal said in a press conference.

"PM Modi has said at least 100 times that I distribute free ki revdi, which is not good for the nation. Now, the PM needs to give a justification (on BJP's manifesto). He should accept that he was wrong and Arvind Kejriwal is right," the AAP chief added.

Hitting back at Arvind Kejriwal, Delhi BJP President Virendra Sachdeva quipped, "When you speak, it sounds like you're giving things out for free. However, our PM speaks of holistic development by taking the entire society, and uplifting every person of the society through facilities."

Kejriwal's attack came against the backdrop of PM Modi and BJP leaders' criticisms of AAP's initiatives in Delhi as 'free revdi'. In the past, PM Modi has cautioned people against the 'revdi culture' under which votes were sought.

BJP's Sankalp Patra was released by JP Nadda today ahead of the February 5 polls in Delhi.

Rs 5 lakh additional cover under Ayushman Bharat - the Centre's insurance scheme that provides health cover of Rs 5 lakh per family per year, was also among the schemes announced.

"The BJP will enforce the centre's flagship Ayushman Bharat health scheme in its first Cabinet meeting. The AAP has been opposing the scheme in Delhi," Nadda said.

The manifesto mostly focusses on the Delhi youth and women. The Rs 2,500 per month announcement for women came on the lines of the Ladki Bahin Yojana, which helped the BJP win the Maharashtra elections.