A major political controversy erupted in Delhi on Wednesday when two government departments issued public notices cautioning citizens against purported "misleading schemes" linked to the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP). The notices, issued by the Department of Women and Child Development (WCD) and the Health and Family Welfare Department, declared that the "Mukhyamantri Mahila Samman Yojana" and the "Sanjeevani Yojana" are non-existent and unapproved, warning citizens not to be misled into sharing personal information under false pretenses. This latest development has further escalated the ongoing tensions between the AAP-led Delhi government and the bureaucracy, which operates under the authority of the Lieutenant Governor.
The WCD’s notice, prominently displayed in newspapers, clarified that the Mukhyamantri Mahila Samman Yojana has not been approved by the Delhi government. It cautioned citizens against providing personal details to individuals or groups falsely claiming affiliation with the scheme, citing risks of identity theft and financial fraud. Similarly, the Health and Family Welfare Department’s notice debunked the claims surrounding the Sanjeevani Yojana, which allegedly promised free healthcare for residents over 60 years old in Delhi hospitals. It described the scheme as fraudulent and advised citizens to remain vigilant against such deceptive claims.
These notices come just days after Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and Chief Minister Atishi inaugurated the registration process for the Mahila Samman Yojana, promising financial aid of Rs 2,100 to eligible women. The timing of the notices, arriving mere weeks before the Delhi Assembly elections, has ignited a heated political battle between the AAP and BJP, with both parties hurling accusations at each other.
The BJP wasted no time in criticizing the AAP, accusing it of duping the public with unapproved welfare schemes. BJP leader Manoj Tiwari expressed astonishment, alleging that AAP might exploit citizens financially. "Arvind Kejriwal is getting documents signed by people at multiple locations while his own health department advertises that no such proposal exists. Atishi, as the Chief Minister, must address this glaring contradiction," he said.
Delhi BJP president Virendra Sachdeva amplified the criticism, accusing Kejriwal of committing "digital fraud" by promoting schemes that do not exist. "The AAP government in Delhi has its own departments warning citizens about fake schemes. This is a clear case of betrayal. It seems to be a conflict between Atishi and Arvind Kejriwal," Sachdeva stated, suggesting that the AAP’s internal disarray was becoming evident.
In a counterattack, AAP leaders vehemently denied the allegations, calling them baseless and politically motivated. Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Singh alleged that the public notices were issued under pressure from the BJP and vowed strict action against the officials responsible. "These schemes were officially announced by Arvind Kejriwal. The BJP is displaying its hatred for welfare initiatives and is now targeting women and senior citizens," Singh declared.
Arvind Kejriwal also responded strongly, accusing the BJP of attempting to derail AAP’s welfare agenda. He claimed that the BJP was resorting to fabricated cases to suppress his party's initiatives. "They are planning to arrest Atishi in a concocted case in the coming days. Before that, raids will be conducted targeting senior AAP leaders," Kejriwal tweeted, hinting at a broader political conspiracy.
The notices have also triggered debates about the role of the bureaucracy in governance. Critics argue that such public notices undermine the credibility of the government and confuse citizens about the authenticity of welfare schemes. Observers have pointed out that this controversy underscores the growing friction between elected officials and the administrative machinery, further complicating the governance narrative in Delhi.
Meanwhile, political analysts believe that the issue could influence voter sentiments ahead of the elections. For AAP, the controversy provides an opportunity to portray itself as a victim of BJP’s alleged tactics to obstruct its welfare programs. For BJP, the focus remains on exposing what it calls "AAP’s deceitful governance" and questioning the party's credibility.
As the political drama unfolds, the public is left grappling with uncertainty about the status of these schemes. For many, the row raises broader questions about the transparency and accountability of governance in Delhi. With both parties doubling down on their respective narratives, the issue is likely to remain a significant talking point in the lead-up to the Assembly elections, shaping political discourse in the national capital.
