In a major development ahead of the Delhi Assembly elections, the Lieutenant Governor (LG) of Delhi, VK Saxena, has ordered legal action against individuals involved in registering people for the Mahila Samman Yojana, a scheme announced by the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP). The decision follows a complaint filed by Congress leader Sandeep Dikshit, who accused the ruling party of fraudulent activities targeting the women of Delhi.

Complaint by Sandeep Dikshit

The Mahila Samman Yojana, which AAP leaders, including Delhi Chief Minister Atishi and AAP supremo Arvind Kejriwal, claimed was operational, has come under scrutiny after Sandeep Dikshit alleged that the scheme was a facade. According to Dikshit, AAP had falsely stated that the scheme was already running in the city, whereas there was no official program in place. He claimed that the registration process was a fraudulent attempt to gather personal information such as phone numbers and addresses from unsuspecting women.

Dikshit’s complaint, which he filed on Thursday, led to the LG’s intervention. The Principal Secretary of Delhi LG on Saturday wrote to both the Delhi Chief Secretary and Police Commissioner regarding AAP’s announcements about giving every woman in Delhi above the age of 18 an amount of Rs. 1000 per month, with a promise to increase it to Rs. 2100 per month if re-elected in the upcoming Delhi Vidhan Sabha elections. The letter emphasized the need for an inquiry into the collection of personal details by non-government individuals and directed the Commissioner of Police to ensure that action is taken against those breaching the privacy of citizens.

AAP’s Response to the Allegations

AAP, however, vehemently denied the allegations and defended the Mahila Samman Yojana. Arvind Kejriwal, in a press statement, accused the BJP of attempting to derail the party’s popularity with these schemes ahead of the election. Kejriwal alleged that the BJP was uncomfortable with the success of initiatives like the Mahila Samman Yojana and the Sanjeevani scheme, both of which had received overwhelming support from the public. He claimed that the BJP had resorted to disrupting the registration camps and had now launched a fake investigation to undermine the schemes.

According to Kejriwal, the BJP’s actions were a clear indication that they were planning to discontinue popular welfare programs, such as free bus rides for women, free electricity, free water, mohalla clinics, and free education, if they were elected. He argued that the BJP’s tactics were designed to stop the progress made under AAP's governance.

Details of the Scheme

The Mahila Samman Yojana was announced by Kejriwal and Atishi with the promise of providing Rs. 1000 per month to women in Delhi. If AAP wins the upcoming Delhi Assembly elections, the amount would be increased to Rs. 2100 per month. Kejriwal claimed that lakhs of women had already registered for the scheme, demonstrating its popularity. He also dismissed the accusations of fraud, asserting that this was merely an election promise, not an operational scheme at the moment.

Legal and Political Ramifications

The LG’s decision to order action against the scheme's registrants could have significant political and legal consequences for AAP in the lead-up to the Delhi elections. The BJP’s aggressive stance, including the disruption of registration camps and calls for an investigation, has sparked a political showdown between the ruling party and its rivals. This controversy has turned into a high-stakes battle ahead of the crucial February elections.

Kejriwal’s response framed the situation as a battle between public welfare and political obstruction, suggesting that the BJP’s aim was to sabotage AAP’s pro-people policies.

The Road Ahead for AAP

As the Delhi elections draw near, AAP will need to manage the fallout from this controversy while continuing to promote its welfare schemes. Whether the LG’s intervention leads to a legal challenge against AAP or strengthens the party’s stance as a defender of women’s rights will depend on the unfolding of events in the coming weeks.

The Mahila Samman Yojana and Sanjeevani Yojana could remain key issues for both parties as they head into Delhi’s Assembly elections, with Kejriwal framing them as vital for the city’s women and elderly citizens, while BJP attempts to discredit them.

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