The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has come out with a different manifesto for the middle class in Delhi ahead of the February 2025 assembly elections. This marks, for the first time in Indian political history, a party addressing the needs and concerns of the middle-class voter segment directly in its election promises. As a result, AAP is setting a new precedent in addressing the long-overlooked issues of this crucial demographic.
While most parties typically focus on the needs of the poor or specific caste and religious groups, AAP’s manifesto aims to cater to the large and often overlooked middle class. The party has emphasized issues affecting this demographic, which is a significant tax-paying segment in India but rarely the focus of major political agendas.
AAP’s Focus on Key Middle-Class Concerns
AAP convener Arvind Kejriwal, in a statement, said that political parties have ignored the middle class for a long time. “This section, comprising teachers, salaried employees, lawyers, and professionals, is subjected to multiple taxes,” Kejriwal said. He said that those who earn between Rs 10-12 lakh per annum are heavily taxed, which gives rise to the concept of “tax terrorism.
Kejriwal also underscored the financial pressures faced by young families, where family planning decisions often come down to financial limitations, largely driven by taxes. He drew a comparison, stating that the government often uses taxpayers’ money for corporate loan waivers instead of public welfare. In contrast, the AAP government in Delhi has focused on improving education and healthcare, resulting in nearly four lakh children switching from private to government schools under its tenure.
AAP’s Demands Ahead of Budget 2025
Kejriwal urged the government to dedicate the upcoming national Budget to the middle class. AAP’s manifesto for the middle class includes several demands aimed at easing financial burdens and improving quality of life. These demands are as follows:
- Increase Education Budget: Raise the education budget from 2% to 10% of the GDP and cap private school fees.
- Higher Education Subsidies: Introduce subsidies and scholarships for higher education to make it more accessible.
- Boost Health Budget: Increase the health budget to 10% of the GDP and remove taxes on health insurance premiums.
- Income Tax Exemption Slab: Raise the income tax exemption limit from Rs 7 lakh to Rs 10 lakh annually.
- GST-Free Essential Commodities: Exempt essential goods from Goods and Services Tax (GST) to reduce living costs.
- Senior Citizens’ Welfare: Provide strong pension and retirement plans for senior citizens.
- Railway Concessions for Senior Citizens: Reintroduce railway concessions for senior citizens to ease their travel expenses.
Kejriwal called on the people to support these demands through the AAP’s online platform, middleclassmanifesto.com. Furthermore, he encouraged citizens to back the cause for a fairer, more equitable society, emphasizing the importance of collective action in bringing about change.
AAP’s Commitment to the Middle Class
AAP in the release of this manifesto is not only targeting the middle class to address their grievances but also posturing itself as the only party with a clear agenda for the critical voter group. In terms of improving public services such as education, health, and infrastructure, AAP aims to strengthen its appeal to a wide range of voters who traditional political parties have long marginalized. As the elections draw closer, this unique manifesto could play a pivotal role in shaping Delhi’s political landscape.