Delhi election: Kejriwal promises free bus rides to students

With an eye on first-time and younger voters, Aam Aadmi Pary (AAP) national convener Arvind Kejriwal on Friday promised free bus rides for students if his party wins the Delhi Assembly election. He also wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi seeking a 50% reduction in metro fares for students and asked the BJP whether it agreed with his proposal.

“We want students’ metro fares to be reduced by half. Does the BJP agree with this? Will it include this point in its manifesto? If it doesn’t, why should students vote for the BJP?” Mr. Kejriwal said.

In response, Delhi BJP spokesperson Praveen Shankar Kapoor said, “The youth understand quite well that all announcements by Kejriwal are hollow, as he did not do anything for them in the 10 years he was in power as the Delhi Chief Minister.”

Financial burden

In his letter to the PM on Friday, the AAP chief said that the metro is a 50:50 joint project between the Delhi government and the Centre. “Therefore, the expenditure on this [fare concession] should be borne equally” by the two governments.

Addressing a press conference, Mr. Kejriwal said the education of many underprivileged children is affected by the lack of finances and expressed hope that the PM would accept his request.

“This announcement is a step towards a more equitable and accessible education system in Delhi. I am confident that this move will bring joy and relief to students and their families,” he said.

Published - January 18, 2025 01:45 am IST