Acting Delhi CM Atishi Defends AAP Government’s Financial Performance, Urges BJP to Fulfill Promises
New Delhi: Outgoing Delhi Chief Minister Atishi took to the media on Friday to highlight the AAP government’s solid financial performance, urging the incoming BJP government not to use financial constraints as an excuse for failing to implement key welfare schemes, such as the Rs 2,500 monthly financial assistance for women.
In her address, Atishi defended the AAP government’s social welfare programs, also known as “freebies,” and emphasized that the Arvind Kejriwal-led government had successfully managed the finances of Delhi, dispelling concerns that welfare politics equates to bad economics.
Atishi shared data demonstrating the significant improvements in Delhi’s budget and debt management during the AAP’s tenure. “I hope the new BJP government will not make financial excuses and will fulfill all its promises to women and other citizens,” she remarked.
The Acting Chief Minister noted that the Delhi budget outlay under the previous Congress government in 2009-10 was Rs 25,000 crore, which rose to Rs 31,000 crore under Central rule in 2014-15. In contrast, under the AAP government, the budget outlay for 2024-25 is Rs 77,000 crore, marking a 2.5 times increase.
Atishi further highlighted the significant reduction in Delhi’s debt-to-GDP ratio. While the debt ratio stood at 6.6% in 2014 under the Congress government, it had dropped to 3.9% by 2023, and is projected to be 3% in 2024. “Under Arvind Kejriwal, the city’s debt to GDP ratio was halved from 6.6% to 3%,” she noted, showcasing the AAP government’s effective fiscal management.
She also compared the fiscal performance of BJP-led states, stating that Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh have much higher debt-to-GDP ratios of 32.5% and 33%, respectively.
In a final note, Atishi referred to a 2022 report by the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG), which praised the AAP-led Delhi government as the only revenue-surplus state in the country since 2015, further underscoring the financial competence of her government.
