By Sidharth Mishra
However, the purpose of using this quote here is to reflect on the politics of subsidy and free services provided by the political parties as major poll promise. Prior to the emergence of Arvind Kejriwal-led Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), this allurement of subsidies were largely limited for the rural voters especially those with agricultural land holdings.
Kejriwal, however, patented the politics of subsidy through a promise of free power and free water to the urban voters of Delhi during the 2015 assembly polls. On coming to power he implemented the promises too, despite much burden on the state’s exchequer and infrastructure, and riding on the popularity of the policy returned to power with thumping majority in 2020.
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