Can Kejriwal’s Welfare Schemes, Ambedkar Advocacy Sway Delhi Elections? News24 –

Has the Aam Aadmi Party chalked out the plan to woo Dalits before the Delhi Assembly Elections 2025? How will the community that counts 16.7% will impact the Delhi elections?

Eyebrows were raised when AAP Convener Arvind Kejriwal announced Dr Ambedkar Samman Scholarship scheme, under which the Delhi government will fund the Dalit students who have secured admission to foreign universities.

Attending a public rally Saturday, the former Delhi Chief Minister said that his party would ensure that no Dalit student in Delhi abandons his studies at foreign universities due to a shortage of funds.

Making his intention clear the AAP leader said that the scheme had been launched to what he described as Amit Shah’s “disrespectful” statement on the father of the Constitution.

Is AAP Trying To Fish In Troubled Waters?

Political observes believe, the AAP wants to fish in the troubled waters and exploit the situation arising out of Amit Shah’s comment in Parliament during the winter session.

While trying to accuse the Congress of insulting Dr. B R Ambedkar, Home Minister Amit Shah said that it has become a fashion to swear by the name of Ambedkar.

He said, “Abhi ek fashion ho gaya hai – Ambedkar, Ambedkar, Ambedkar, Ambedkar, Ambedkar, Ambedkar. Itna naam agar bhagwan ka lete to saat janmon tak swarg mil jata.”

All hell broke down after this, both houses of the Parliament were paralysed, the ruling party and the opposition attacked each other.

Political analysts believe, the AAP wants to exploit the situation and sail on the sentiments to reach out to Dalits and win their support.

Arvind Kejriwal Visits Valmiki Mandir

Arvind Kejriwal came down upon the BJP heavily immediately after what Amit Shah said. Slamming the Home Minister, he said he and crores of followers of Ambedkar were hurt by his statement.

He visited Bhagwan Valmiki Mandir at Mandir Marg in the national capital and declared that Ambedkar is no less than a god of modern India.

He said, “You have to choose between Baba Saheb and the BJP. Jo Baba Saheb se kare pyaar, vo BJP ko kare inkaar (those who love Baba Saheb should reject the BJP).”

Ambedkar, Bhagat Singh: Two Icons Of AAP

He also announced that Dr. Ambedkar and and Bhagat Singh were the two icons of the AAP. He also reminded that the governments of Delhi and Punjab had issued orders to place the pictures of these icons inside every government office.

Earlier, the Delhi Government expanded its Jai Bheem Mukhyamantri Pratibha Vikas Yojana, a scheme designed to provide the students of economically weaker sections with subsidized coaching.

Jai Bheem Scheme

Under the scheme, Delhi government will cover 75% of the coaching fees while only 25% of the same will have to be paid by the students.

However, the students with the annual income of less than Rs 2 lakh will have not to pay the coaching fee, all the expenses will be paid by the Delhi government.

Dalits In Delhi

The AAP is trying to reach out to the Dalit communities that constitute 16.7% of the population in Delhi.

It is interesting to note that Sultanpuri in North West Delhi assembly constituency has 44% Dalit population while the Dalits constitutes 41% of the electorate in Karol.

Besides, Gokalpur, Seemapuri, Mangolpuri, Trilokpuri, and Ambedkar Nagar have over 30% Dalit residents.

Delhi has a diverse population of Dalit communities. It is made of the people from the sub-castes of Jatavs, Balmikis, Khateeks, Raigars, Kolis, Bairwas, and Dhobis.