Udit Raj Labels BJP's Education Promises as 'Election Gimmicks'

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Udit Raj Labels BJP's Education Promises as 'Election Gimmicks'

Synopsis

Udit Raj criticizes BJP's promises of free education and financial support for SC students, labeling them as election gimmicks. He questions the timing of similar pledges from AAP and highlights the neglect of education under the current government.

Key Takeaways

  • BJP's education promises deemed hollow by Udit Raj.
  • Criticism of financial aid for SC students as inadequate.
  • Raj questions AAP's late welfare initiatives.
  • Allegations of AAP fostering division among communities.
  • Central government criticized for education privatization.

New Delhi, Jan 21 (NationPress) Former MP and Dalit leader of the Congress, Udit Raj, has denounced the BJP's assurances of free education from KG to PG for disadvantaged students, a Rs 1,000 monthly stipend for SC students, and one-time support for UPSC and competitive exam aspirants as mere 'jumla' and nothing more than an election slogan.

In a conversation with IANS, Udit Raj expressed his disapproval of the Central government's educational policies, noting, "On one hand, the cost of education is rising, and on the other, you offer just one thousand rupees. This is just an election slogan. If you don't follow through, that’s another matter, but the backward and poor communities have been increasingly excluded from education. Since the Modi government took power, education has been privatized, and it has become unaffordable.

Raj also responded to former Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal’s commitment to establish a welfare board for the Dhobi community in the national Capital if the AAP wins the upcoming Assembly elections.

"Why now? Why wasn’t this done earlier?" the Congress leader questioned, adding, "They had promised to provide concrete houses to the Balmiki community, but now they say they will give fifty thousand houses, even though many are already vacant. Why weren’t these provided over the last eleven years? This is just another election stunt. They had promised to build 500 schools and open 20 colleges, but not a single school or college has been constructed. Similarly, this too will remain unfulfilled.

In response to comments made by AAP leader Rituraj Jha, who criticized Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri over alleged ties to Bangladeshi and Rohingya communities, Udit Raj accused the AAP of trying to foster division.

"They are trying to pit Hindus against Muslims to distract the public from the main issues. It’s a war of words, and they want to keep people divided," Raj asserted.

Earlier in the day, the BJP unveiled Part II of its Sankalp Patra, declaring another series of electoral promises if the party secures power in the forthcoming Assembly elections.

The major electoral incentives include free education from KG to PG for underprivileged students in government schools, a Rs 1,000 monthly stipend for SC students, and one-time assistance for UPSC and competitive exam aspirants.

The announcements were made by former Union Minister Anurag Thakur during a press conference, where he emphasized the Central government's programs for street vendors and presented the second part of the Sankalp Patra, filled with benefits and concessions for students.

He also accused the AAP government of failures on multiple fronts, claiming that the party rose to power by deceiving the people of Delhi and after grabbing power, it left them in distress.