New Delhi, Jan 22 – On Wednesday, national convenor Arvind Kejriwal revealed a seven-point “manifesto” for the middle class, highlighting their neglect by successive administrations and labeling them as victims of “tax terrorism”.
In a video message, he emphasized that the middle class represents the true superpower of India’s economy, which has been consistently overlooked and exploited primarily for tax revenue.
Kejriwal introduced a seven-point charter designed to tackle the issues faced by the middle class.
Among the demands are increasing the education budget from the current 2 percent to 10 percent and regulating private school fees. He also suggested providing subsidies and scholarships for higher education to ensure quality education is within reach for everyone.
The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) chief advocated for a rise in healthcare expenditure to 10 percent of GDP, along with the elimination of taxes on health insurance premiums.
Kejriwal urged for an increase in the income tax exemption limit from ₹7 lakh to ₹10 lakh, citing the significant financial strain on the middle class.
Another proposal called for the removal of GST on essential goods, which he claimed disproportionately impacts middle-class families. He also promoted stronger retirement plans, including free healthcare for senior citizens across both private and public hospitals.
Furthermore, he appealed to the central government to restore the 50 percent discount on train fares for senior citizens, a benefit that has been revoked in recent years.
Criticizing political parties for relegating the middle class to a “slave mindset” since independence, Kejriwal promised that AAP MPs would advocate for middle-class issues in forthcoming parliamentary sessions, aiming to elevate these concerns within political discussions.
This announcement comes just weeks ahead of the Delhi Assembly elections set for February 5, with results expected on February 8.
The Aam Aadmi Party, which won 62 out of 70 assembly seats in 2020, is striving for a third consecutive term. (Agencies)
