AAP’s Arvind Kejriwal Accuses PM Modi of Politicizing Public Health Issues
In a heated exchange on Tuesday, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) convener Arvind Kejriwal accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of engaging in political maneuvering regarding public health in the national capital. This confrontation arose following Modi’s criticism of the Delhi and West Bengal governments for allegedly failing to implement the Ayushman Bharat health insurance scheme due to “political interests.”
During a public gathering at the All India Institute of Ayurveda in New Delhi, Prime Minister Modi expressed disappointment over the state of free healthcare for the elderly in Delhi and West Bengal, calling it a missed opportunity to serve senior citizens. He stated, “I apologize to all the elderly aged above 70 years in Delhi and West Bengal. I hear your pain, but due to the state governments’ decisions, I cannot help you.”
Responding to these allegations, Kejriwal condemned Modi’s remarks as inappropriate and politically charged. In a detailed post on X, he suggested that the Prime Minister study the Delhi model of healthcare and consider adopting it nationwide in place of the Ayushman Bharat scheme. Kejriwal claimed he had yet to meet anyone who benefited from Ayushman Bharat, asserting that under the Delhi government scheme, every citizen receives free medical treatment, with the government covering all costs, regardless of the amount.
Kejriwal offered to provide a list of lakhs of beneficiaries from the Delhi government’s health scheme to substantiate his claims. He also raised concerns about the Ayushman Bharat scheme, citing findings from the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) that revealed several irregularities.
Delhi Health Minister Saurabh Bharadwaj echoed Kejriwal’s sentiments, labeling the Ayushman Bharat scheme as a “failed” initiative. He pointed out that poor patients from states like Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, and Rajasthan, where the scheme is implemented, often seek surgeries in Delhi hospitals. “Delhi government hospitals provide free treatment, unlike the paid services in BJP-ruled states. Our health schemes are far more effective than Ayushman Bharat,” he asserted.
Adding to the criticism, AAP leader and Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Singh dismissed the central scheme as “impractical.” He argued that the eligibility criteria for Ayushman Bharat disqualify many potential beneficiaries, stating, “If you own a refrigerator, a motorcycle, or have an income above Rs 10,000, you cannot avail of Ayushman Bharat benefits.” Singh further alleged that the scheme represents “one of the biggest scams in the BJP-led states” and called for an examination of data from Haryana and Uttar Pradesh to expose potential fraud.
As the debate continues, both parties remain entrenched in their positions, highlighting the ongoing tensions between the AAP and the central government over public health policies in India.
