BJP to target AAP in slums over health plan

NEW DELHI: To counter the

AAP

campaign for full statehood, BJP has decided to bank on Delhi government’s decision to not implement Ayushman Bharat, the national health insurance scheme, in the capital.

Delhi BJP will go to the slums where the poorest section of the society lives and make people “aware” that it was “chief minister Arvind Kejriwal who has denied them the benefits of the scheme”, a senior leader said.

A joint team of the party’s doctor and SC cells, along with members of its social media team, will visit 28 slums in 14 districts to register eligible families under the scheme, said Delhi BJP’s social media cell co-in charge, Neelakant Bakshi.

“We will register only those families who keep coming to Delhi looking for work but do not stay here permanently. Since the AAP government has not implemented the scheme here, we cannot register Delhi residents,” he added. “This will make people understand that AAP government is denying them the benefits of the scheme.”

About 26 hospitals, under the central government and privately run, in the city currently offer free treatment of up to Rs 5 lakh annually under the scheme.

BJP has made the Centre’s achievements its main poll plank during the campaign for the

Lok Sabha elections

. It has also decided to “expose the failures of AAP government” in giving reservation to economically weaker sections.

The campaign, said Bakshi, will run from 6pm to 9pm daily and cover all slums, resettlement and unauthorised colonies. “We will even make people call the scheme helpline to understand its benefits. We will just be facilitators.” The team of doctors, Bakshi added, will carry out basic tests for diabetes, thyroid and hypertension.

Opposition leader Vijender Gupta said BJP would distribute a pamphlet on the scheme and its benefits. “Every day, the Ayushman Bharat website updates the number of beneficiaries, those given free treatment and money spent on the scheme,” he said.